Child Sexual Exploitation CSE Xenia Solomou Child Sexual

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Xenia Solomou Child Sexual Exploitation Co-ordinator

Definition of CSE Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse. It involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships; where young people (or a third person or persons) receive some reward as a result of sexual activity. In most cases exploitation involves coercion, force and/or violence and in all cases those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/or economic or other resources.

CSE can range from seemingly ‘consensual’ relationships, informal exchanges of sex in order to get affection, accommodation or gifts, through to exploitation by gangs involved in serious, organised crime. 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

Models Boyfriend Online Peer on peer Models Organised Networked or trafficking Opportunistic Familial Inappropriate relationships

The Push and Pull of Sexual Exploitation • • • • PUSH: History of abuse/neglect Exposure to domestic violence and abuse Parental vulnerabilities; problematic substance use, mental illness, learning disability Family breakdown / disrupted home life and/or bereavement Low self-esteem Poor self image Physical or learning disabilities Immigration status Environmental factors; gangs, poverty, local resources Lack of awareness and understanding Trouble at school / history of bullying Peer pressure Friendship group issues and associations • • • • PULL: Getting attention from by someone older Meeting someone who thinks they are special Acceptance from peers Receiving alcohol, drugs, money or gifts Sense of confidence Getting excitement from risk taking/forbidden behaviour Being offered somewhere to stay where there are no rules Feeling Loved and cared for Gang acceptance/initiation Being treated like an adult Being given lifts, taken to new places Sense of belonging Sense of Independence

Warning Signs: SAFEGUARD S exual health and behaviour A bsent from school or repeatedly running away F amilial abuse and/or problems at home E motional and physical condition G angs, older age groups and involvement in crime U se of technology and sexual bullying A lcohol and drug misuse R eceipt of unexplained gifts or money D istrust of authority figures

What should medical practitioners look out for? • • • Self harm Low self-esteem Sexualised behaviour ‘Revolving door’ with A&E Repeat STI testing Pelvic inflammatory disease Repeat pregnancy Problematic alcohol use Problematic drug & solvent use Physical injuries Late presentation of untreated injuries or illnesses • Suicidal ideation • Unexplained injuries • • Self blame Multiple personality disorders Dissociation Psychosis Depression Sleep disorders Eating disorders Post-traumatic stress disorder

What happens if I identify CSE? • CSE is a form of child abuse and should be dealt with like any other form In cases of child abuse confidentiality can be breached. Fraser competency will not apply in the context of CSE • If you suspect someone is in immediate danger call the police • Speak to your safeguarding lead • Contact the MASH/CSE Co-ordinator – discuss case • Make a referral to the MASE Practitioners Forum through CSE Co-ordinator/MASH

MASE – Multi-agency Sexual Exploitation Practitioners Meetings • Monthly meeting – chaired by CSE Coordinator • Case discussion • Enable multi-agency information sharing and action planning to tackle CSE • Allow support services in borough to offer support and information • Information will be recorded on police and social service systems

ASK! “Young people will only tell if they have been asked, the importance of asking the questions must be emphasised” Questions such a “have you ever taken part in a sexual activity that you didn’t want to?

Words We Use…………. Children and young people who were being sexually exploited were frequently described by professionals in many localities as being “promiscuous”, “liking the glamour”, engaging in “risky behaviour” and being generally badly behaved. Some of the most common phrases used in the call for evidence submissions to describe the young person’s behaviour were: • • The young person is “prostituting herself”. She/he “places her/himself in vulnerable situations”. She/he is “drawn to it”. he/he is “risk-fuelled”. They are a “danger to themselves”. She/he “refuses to acknowledge risks”. She/he is “sexually available”. She/he is “asking for it”. The Inquiry argued that this labelling reflects a worrying perspective held by a number of professionals, namely that children are complicit in, and hence responsible for, their own abuse. “I thought I was the only one in the world, ’ The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation In Gangs and Groups, (November 2012), p. 47.

Tower Hamlets Picture from MASE 2015 total 53 Strateg y meetin g Ethnicit y Any other Asian /Bangla desh Asian/ Pakista ni 0 Cases Status Age 18 yrs 0 17 1 CP CIN 24 4 17 yrs 16 yrs 8 9 total 30 Black/ African Black Somali 1 3 LAC 19 15 yrs 13 TAC 4 14 yrs 12 Black /any other 2 Gender Black/ Caribbe an 2 Female 51 Mixed/w hite Caribbe an 3 Male 2 4 Mixed / any 2 Mixed White/A sian White British Not recorde d 16 1 Secure From another borough 13 yrs 9 2 12 yrs 1 11 yrs 1 10 yrs 0 9 yrs 0

Contact Xenia Solomou – Xenia. Solomou@towerhamlets. gov. uk Phillipa Kenwright – CSE Borough SPOC (Single Point of Contact) Phillipa. kenwright@met. police. uk MASH – 0207 364 5005