Child Sexual Exploitation CSE Raising Awareness Say Something

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Raising Awareness: Say Something if you See Something…….

Purpose of Session • To raise awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) including: – Forms of CSE – Risk/Vulnerability factors – Identification of those at risk – What to do if you have concerns

If you have web access then play this short clip introducing CSE: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w 6 v. Yb. ZSUL 5 U

Definition of CSE Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where the young person (or third person/s) receive ‘something’ (e. g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. Taken from the London CSE Operating Protocol 2 nd Edition March 2015

Definition of CSE cont… Child Sexual Exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common. Involvement in exploitative relationships is characterised by the child’s or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social, economic or emotional vulnerability. A common feature of CSE is that the child or young person does not recognise the coercive nature of the relationship and does not see themselves as a victim of exploitation. Taken from the London CSE Operating Protocol 2 nd Edition March 2015

Rotherham CSE

Forms of CSE Gangs & groups Trafficked Online Older ‘boyfriend’ Child Sexual Exploitation Opportunistic Familial Sexual Bullying

Vulnerability All young people are vulnerable to CSE but some factors can increase vulnerability e. g: • Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household • History of abuse • Living in residential care, hostel, B&B or being homeless • Gang association either through relatives, peers, intimate relationships or neighbourhood • Lacking friends from the same age group • Attending school, or are friends with, young people who are sexually exploited • Not engaging in education/training or employment • Unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose sexual orientation to their families • Learning disabilities • Young carer • Recent bereavement or loss • Low self-esteem or self-confidence.

RISK FACTORS What are the signs to look out for?

S – A – F – E – G – U – A – R – D – Sexual Health Absent from School/home Familial Abuse Emotional and Physical Condition Gangs Use of Technology & Sexual Bullying Alcohol and Drug Misuse Receipt of unexplained Gifts or money Distrust of Authority Figures

Grooming Strategies • Target vulnerable groups of young people • Know where young people hang out • Use subtle techniques to form relationships – hard to distinguish from genuine relationships at first • Appeal to young person’s vanity/self esteem/confidence with gifts, comments, treats, drugs & alcohol • Gradually isolate young person from peer friends • Exert emotional pressure on young person to perform sexual activities • Using drugs or alcohol as a form of control • Frequently move young people to disorientate them

Remember………… • Children and young people who are sexually exploited are victims first • A person’s ability to give consent may be affected by a range of issues, influence of drugs, threats of violence, grooming, a power imbalance between victim and perpetrators. • A 16 - or 17 -year-old can be sexually exploited even though they are old enough to consent to sexual activity. • Sexually exploited young people are a group of vulnerable children who may become lost to statutory agencies

Why is it difficult for children to disclose? • • No perception of abuse Fear of not being believed Fear of being judged Guilt and shame “it was my fault” Fear for personal or family safety Dependency on “groomers” Terrified

What to do if a child makes a disclosure • Inform the young person that you will have to share the information • Have a child/young person-centred approach • Be patient • Ask only open questions Who/Where/What/When/Why? • Do not ask any leading questions • Write down each question and answers given • Date and time any notes taken • Sign any notes taken • Discuss any concerns with a member of the safeguarding team • Together refer any concern or disclosure to your local authority children’s service or the police.

Referrals • Ensure that as much detail as possible is gathered in the risk screening tool • Discuss details with your safeguarding lead/line manager immediately • If risk factors identified contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), or the child’s allocated social worker if relevant, with your concerns • Complete MASH referral form - see CSE supplementary threshold document • Within MASH a risk assessment will be conducted using the Sutton CSE Assessment Tool and each case will be categorized a level of risk as per CSE Risk Matrix. • In the first instance, the London Child Protection Procedures must be followed to consider immediate risk and safeguarding actions required. Therefore a Strategy Meeting must be convened in each case. Consideration will need to be given as to whether CAIT (Child Abuse Investigation Team) or CSE Team from the police are involved at this stage alongside other key agencies. (http: //www. londoncp. co. uk/chapters/referral_assess. html ) • Following initial investigation as outlined above, most cases of suspected, actual or potential CSE will be referred into the MASE meetings.

Multi-Agency Sexual Exploitation (MASE) Operational Meeting • A multi-agency forum to review all new cases and CSE activity against previously reported cases • It shares information/intelligence about serial perpetrators, involvement of gangs/groups, premises/location hotspots linked to CSE. • Meets on a monthly basis • A MASE a referral must be made via MASH (if not previously known) or the allocated social worker • The MASE meeting discuss and review action plan in respect of individuals or issues. • Ensures there is a coordinated approach with other boroughs *MASE does not replace London Child Protection Procedures and individual safeguarding actions must be taken alongside any referral to MASE

What else can I do as a professional? • Staying alert to changes in behaviour or any physical signs of abuse and investigating these further • Use routine contacts with children and young people and don’t be afraid to explore concerns and LISTEN • Don’t be afraid to talk to your child protection lead follow if you have concerns about a child or young person • Think about ways to better support and help young people to share information if they are worried about their own or another young person’s situation • Identifying opportunities to educate young people and their parents about healthy relationships and about sexual exploitation

Thank you for Listening and SAY SOMETHING IF YOU SEE SOMETHING

Useful Links: • Sutton LSCB CSE Strategy & Toolkit (incl. referral forms ) http: //www. suttonlscb. org. uk/cse. php • London CSE Operating Protocol http: //content. met. police. uk/Site/tellsomebody • London Child Protection Procedures supplementary guidance on Safeguarding Trafficked and Exploited Children http: //www. londoncp. co. uk/chapters/sg_trafficked_ch. html • The National Working Group on Child Sexual Exploitation www. nationalworkinggroup. org • CSE awareness raising material http: //www. barnardos. org. uk/spot_the_signs_professionals. pdf