Preventing Violence against Vulnerable People in the West
Preventing Violence against Vulnerable People in the West Midlands Child Sexual Exploitation Rachel Hopper – Regional CSE Implementation Officer rhopper@solihull. gov. uk 0121 704 6802
What is CSE? “sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive ‘something’ (eg. Food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. 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. 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. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability. ” West Midlands Regional CSE Framework, July 2015
Dr Helen Beckett – University of Bedfordshire Https: //www. beds. ac. uk/ic/films
• CSE is child sexual abuse but it is characterised by the concept of exchange • It 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
• Children rarely disclose: - May not recognise the situation as abusive - May feel complicit as they have accepted some form of “reward” or have received something. • Unhelpful professional language: - A sexually active 12 year old girl - A 35 year old male is a 14 year olds boyfriend (rather than abuser)
• Prevention • Protection • Prosecution – no one crime but many that can be used under the sexual offences act. • No one agency has the key and we must work together to tackle!
• It can take place on or offline by individuals or by groups E. G • A 14 year old male giving oral sex to a 17 year old male for money • Three 15 year olds being taken to a party house and given drugs or alcohol and then being told they must pay this back through sexual activity with adults.
Warning Signs • Missing from home/care/education – should they be in school? • Substance misuse/ anti-social or criminal behaviour under the influence or acting aggressively? • Low self esteem/ self harming/ mental health concerns Obvious self harm injuries on arms? • Inappropriate friendships with adults/ older teenagers Who are they with? • Unexplained money or possessions/ drugs & alcohol with no means of payment Who is that group or individual with them?
Warning Signs (continued) • Secretive or extensive use of the mobile phone Constant use during consultation, want you to hurry up, looking anxious? • Older boyfriend/girlfriend In need of emergency contraception and having sex with older partner? • Repeat Sexually transmitted infections • Repeat UTIs • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease • Repeat pregnancy/miscarriage/termination
See Me Hear Me Framework www. seeme-hearme. org. uk • Contributed to and signed up to by all 7 of the WM met area LAs and the WM Police. Partner input and support from PACE, Barnardos and Health • A comprehensive operating model on how we would work together as a partnership to identify, assess and respond to CSE • It includes a regional screening tool and risk assessment
• Regional call to action marketing campaign. www. seeme-hearme. org. uk • Raise awareness of what CSE is • Highlight the risk indicators and warning signs • Signpost people to where they can get help
The framework considers: • Three central elements of; prevent, protect and pursue • A regional referral pathway • Other key issues identified through the consultation process: missing, trafficking, Rising 18 s, Working with parents/carers, voluntary community sector, information sharing and cross border, supporting victims and witnesses, workforce development, performance management and community engagement
What is the threat ? • 922 yp identified • 87 (9%) yp identified as at ‘Serious Risk’ • 18% male • Most identified age range 14 -17 yrs but overall 8 – post 18
What can I do • Safeguarding Lead – MASH referral & CSE Screening Tool • Complete FIB Form (www. seeme-hearme. org. uk ‘Resources’ page • Safeguarding Lead – MASH referral & CSE Screening Tool • Contact local CSE Team/ Co-Ordinator • In an emergency contact Police 999, or for non-emergencies Police 101 • Young people can contact ‘Say Something’ – 24/7 –phone or text STOP CSE 116000 • Display awareness materials in your pharmacy • Crimestoppers – free & in confidence – 0800 555 111 • Be Inquisitive - CONSISTENT – PERSISTENT – ENDURING - SUPPORT
Coventry • Coventry safeguarding children board procedures: http: //coventryscb. proceduresonline. com/cha pters/contents. html • Referral and Assessment service 024 7678 8555 • CSE Team 024 7678 8555 : (CSE co-ordinator is Rebekah Eaves) • Emergency Duty Tea, 024 7683 2222
Warwickshire • Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures http: //www. warwickshire. gov. uk/wscbresourc es • Warwickshire MASH – 01902 414144 • CSE Team - 01926 684 490 • Emergency Duty Team - 01926 886922
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