Child Sexual Exploitation Amy Proctor LEARNING OBJECTIVES State

Child Sexual Exploitation Amy Proctor

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • State and understand the definition of CSE • Recognise the nature and dynamics of CSE • Identify the factors that impact on the vulnerability of children • Recognise the barriers to engaging with children and families experiencing CSE • Understand the local context and CSE pathway.

WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION? Group Exercise • What you think child sexual exploitation might be • Feed back to the group

WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION? Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse, it occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

WHAT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE TELL US ‘It’s when you don’t know your choices that other people have all the power’ (Out of the Box: Young people’s stories’ written by young people from Doncaster street reach and NSPCC London Projects) CSE is ‘someone taking advantage of you sexually, for their own benefit. Through threats, bribes, violence, humiliation, or by telling you that they love you, they will have the power to get you to do sexual things for their own, or other people’s benefit or enjoyment (including; touching or kissing private parts, sex, taking sexual photos)’ (Young Women’s Group, Horizons: 2008) ‘They go for the girls with the rubbish family lives because they know they will get away with it. They give you things and make you think they are your friend’ It’s someone taking a part of you’. . . (Pearce et al, 2002)

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER… Child sexual exploitation is a type of SEXUAL ABUSE in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status. A common feature of Child Sexual Exploitation is that the child or young person does not recognise the coercive nature of the relationship and do not see themselves as a being groomed or a victim of exploitation. Child sexual exploitation is a hidden crime. Young people often trust their abuser and don't understand that they're being abused. They may depend on their abuser or be too scared to tell anyone what's happening. Child Sexual Exploitation can affect any child under the age of 18 – even 16 and 17 year olds who can consent to sex Males and females can be both victims and perpetrators It exists across every ethnic grouping for both victims and perpetrators Not just adults abusing children – peer on peer also prevalent

Operation Bulfinch Oxfordshire

Operation Chalice West Mercia

Operation Kern Derby

THE CSE PROCESS Recruitment Exploitation

CONSENT Sexual Agency – refers to being in charge of your own sexuality, control, where, and when you have sex. Consent – a knowing, acting and voluntary agreement to participate in an activity that cannot be assumed. The Understanding of Abused Consent (Pearce, 2013) Is important when assessing competency to consent. Financial needs, peer pressure and grooming can underlie the young person’s belief that they have agency but professionals can also contribute negatively by making assumptions about young people’s lives, normalising the abusive behaviour.

CONSENT • • Age of consent for sexual activity is 16 Children under 13 years cannot consent to sexual activity - there is no defence of mistaken belief about the age of the child, as there is in cases involving 13– 15 year olds 16 – 18 year olds can consent to sex but not to sexual exploitation. It is important to recognise that a child may be compliant to a sexual act but that is not informed consent

MODELS OF CSE • • • Imbalance of power Boyfriend/girlfriend Peer on peer Gang Organised or trafficking Familial Opportunistic Online (social media) Party

WHAT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES… ‘I thought he was ‘I was 16. He was 29, on drugs and paranoid. At first he seemed really kind and I thought he cared. He didn’t though, not in the end. He was just playing the part’. ‘I was looking for someone who cared’ looking after me, so I was trying to look after him’. ‘It was a destructive cycle, I couldn’t get out. I tried to escape but I got attacked, beaten up and taken advantage of. I was too scared to leave’. ‘Before I knew it I was involved and being introduced to the internet guy’s ‘friends’ – lots of men who wanted sex’. (NWG, 2008)

WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ‘MORE’ VULNERABLE? Any child or young person may be at risk of sexual exploitation, regardless of their family background or other circumstances. However, some groups are particularly vulnerable: - History of running way or going missing from home Dysfunctional family background/history of abuse Children with special needs Children in care/leaving care Migrant children Unaccompanied asylum seekers Missing education Drugs and alcohol Involved in Gangs (Department for Children, Schools and Families (2009) Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation. DCSF, London)

ROUTES TO CSE – WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE SAY ‘He told me he’d bash up my face, he said no one else would ever want me’ (aged 12) ‘I was sexually abused by my dad, so it makes no difference if I do it with strangers’ (aged 15) ‘I was promised some designer trainers and jeans’ (aged 12) ‘It happens, it’s life!’ (aged 15) ‘Why shouldn’t I? ’ (aged 17) ‘I couldn’t tell my family as it would bring such shame on my family…he knew that’ (aged 14) Pearce, 2012

INDICATORS OF CSE • • • Changes in temperament/ depression / mood swings Disengagement from education Secrecy Risky sexualised behaviour Sexual health concerns; sexually transmitted infections / pregnancy Older boyfriend / girlfriend / friends Association with other young people involved in exploitation Seen in risky areas – ‘CSE hotspots’ Drug and alcohol misuse Unexplained gifts i. e. new clothes, jewellery, mobile phones or money Going missing or running away from home

THE IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Sexual exploitation can have devastating effects on a child or young person that can last throughout their lives. Every child and situation is different. • • • difficulties forming relationships isolation from family and friends teenage parenthood failing examinations or dropping out of education altogether Unemploymental health problems self harm, suicide attempts and eating disorders alcohol and drug addiction aggressive behaviour criminal activity Parenting capacity in the future PACE 2013

BARRIERS TO DISCLOSURE

COMMON REASONS FOR NOT REPORTING • • • Blackmail Dependency on drugs and alcohol Not believing they are victims Fear of violence Fear of not being believed (especially by family) Emotional attachment - the perpetrator may meet a need for the young person.

WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS FOR… 1. Boys and young men 2. Children and young people with learning difficulties Discuss in your groups

Boys and young men… • Discriminatory social attitudes and stereotypes - ‘I didn’t want to be called gay’ • Perceptions of masculinity e. g. victimhood being seen as ‘weakness’ or feelings that they will not be believed because of stereotypes that suggest boys and young men are not victims of CSE • Gender differences in education initiative e. g. focus on females • Gender differences in emotional responses e. g. boys being more emotionally isolated or having weaker communication skills that girls Learning difficulties… • Their lack of empowerment and voice • Lack of access to information and education about sex and relationships including online safety • False perceptions that CYP with learning difficulties do not have the same needs, wishes and desires to have a relationship • Overprotection, disempowerment and isolation • Professionals understanding of ‘capacity to consent’ to sex • Aged 18+ may fall through the gap between children’s services and adult services • Lack of training and awareness for professionals

THE LAW, POLICY AND GUIDANCE There is no specific offence of Child Sexual Exploitation - Sexual Offences Act 2003 - Modern Slavery Act 2015 - Sec 1 (1) Protection of Children Act 1978 • Children Act 1989 • Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (2009) • Working Together To Safeguard Children (2015) • Statutory Guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care 2014 • Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation (2015)

THE LOCAL CONTEXT In 2016, 99 children and young people were identified as ‘at risk’ of CSE • 12 were boys • The youngest is 11 years – 1 male and 1 female • The peak age of victims in Herefordshire is 14 – 17 years • Perpetrators are more likely to be male and aged between 18 – 21 years • Increasing prevalence of peer on peer abuse / party model

SUMMARY OF ARRANGEMENTS IN HEREFORDSHIRE TO ADDRESS CSE Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) Co-ordinates what is done to safeguard children in Herefordshire CSE and Children who go missing sub group of HSCB Challenge, scrutinise and support based on information about CSE (data/ audit etc. ) CSE and children who go missing Operational Group Based on information and intelligence, develop strategies and actions to disrupt and prevent CSE and Missing Coordinator Oversight of CSE and Missing

CSE SCREENING TOOL • This CSE Pre Check list assessment tool should be used where there are concerns regarding a child or young person being at risk of, involved in or thought to be experiencing child sexual exploitation. • It should support a practitioner to focus on the specific indicators of sexual exploitation, and determine what intervention, support or services are appropriate or required. • Professional with concerns completes the Pre-Check list to identify the concerns in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation. • If outcome indicates no/low level risk a referral to MASH may not be required however single agency or multi-agency support WILL be required to undertake preventative work with the YP and parent/carer. CSE co-ordinator can be contacted for advice at this stage. • If the outcome indicates medium or high risk a MARF should be completed and sent into MASH, together with the completed checklist. The child’s views must be sought by the referrer.

CSE SCREENING TOOL Activity • Read through the CSE case study in stages. After each of the stages use the CSE Screening tool to evidence the risks • Once you have completed the tool discuss in our groups what action you would take

SUPPORT SERVICES LOCALLY West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre specialises in supporting victims of sexual abuse. CHISVA and counselling service, helpline, SELFIE programme BARNARDO’s – one-to-one therapeutic work, CSE, healthy relationships, consent Sexual Health Clinic (i. SH) – drop in service and by appointment, can refer CYP directly - early prevention work – one-toone and group work around CSE, healthy relationship, sex education

Thanks for listening! Amy Proctor Child Sexual Exploitation and Missing Coordinator 01432 260552 amy. proctor@herefordshire. gov. uk