Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they're given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused.

Sometimes abusers use violence and intimidation to frighten or force a child or young person, making them feel as if they've no choice.

Anybody can be a perpetrator of CSE, no matter their age, gender or race. The relationship could be framed as friendship, someone to look up to or romantic. Children and young people who are exploited may also be used to 'find' or coerce others to join groups.

Technology is very often used to groom victims.

This may occur through mobile phones with internet access, social networking sites e.g. Tik Tok, Instagram etc. and via games consoles that connect to the internet e.g. Playstation or Xbox.  

Support/Resources

PACE (Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation) is a national charity that works with parents and carers whose children are sexually exploited. PACE offers one-to-one telephone support, national and local meet-ups with other affected parents and information on how parents can work in partnership with school, police and social care. 

The NSPCC  has been campaigning to raise the profile of this form of child abuse. 

Share Aware: Help your child stay safe on social networks, apps and games.

Staying safe away from home: Your guide to when your child's old enough to be out on their own, and how to teach them to keep safe while they're away.

Home alone: How to decide when it's safe for your child to be home on their own, and what you can do if they're too young.