CSE – advice for children & young people
It’s not okay for someone to manipulate you into doing sexual things for their own or someone else’s benefit. If you are under 18, this is called Child Sexual Exploitation or CSE and it is against the law.
The It’s Not Okay www.itsnotokay.co.uk website contains information for young people, parents, carers, and professionals.
If you are suffering, or think you may be subject to, sexual exploitation there is lots of help available.
Report sexual exploitation to the police on 101. If you or another young person is in immediate danger, ring 999.
What is CSE?
Child sexual exploitation happens when a young person is encouraged, or forced, to take part in sexual activity in exchange for something, for example, food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts or money.
Perpetrators can be adults pretending to be a friend, boyfriend or girlfriend or they could even be a person at school, college or online.
It is important to remember that this can happen to any child or young person, can happen on and offline and that sexual abusers can be both male and female.
How does it happen?
- At the beginning, the person makes you feel special by showing you a lot of interest and affection.
- Sometimes they ask groups of young people to come back to their house or go to parties.
- Sometimes you are offered drugs, alcohol and a place to chill out.
- You may be given presents like clothes, a mobile phone, or money to buy alcohol or cigarettes.
- After they have gained your trust and affection things change.
- They will ask for sexual favours for themselves or other people in return for alcohol, drugs, presents, money. All the things that were previously given for free.
- They stop being nice and can become violent or threatening.
Spot the warning signs
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions below, you may be at risk of sexual exploitation by adults:
- Do you stay out overnight?
- Have you been missing from home?
- Do you skip school?
- Does someone outside your family give you money, clothes, jewellery, a mobile phone or other presents?
- Do you have an older boyfriend or girlfriend?
- Do you take drugs or drink alcohol?
- Are you losing touch with your family and friends?
- Do you hate yourself sometimes?
- Are you secretive about where you go and who you see?
- Do you chat to people online you have never met?
How to get help
You are not to blame if you are being abused. The adults who have taken advantage of you are responsible and they are the people who have done something wrong.
If you can, talk to someone that you trust, such as a parent, carer or a close family member. If you are unable to talk to someone at home, talk to a friend, teacher or someone in your community you trust.
If you are worried that you, or someone you know, is being abused contact the Police, giving as much information as you can. Your report will be investigated by specially trained staff and officers.
- Phone 101
- If you are in immediate danger phone 999
- Report online to GMP Police or visit your local police station.
For confidential support and advice
Text or call the National CSE helpline anonymously on 116 000 or visit the website www.knowandsee.co.uk
or
Contact Childline (not just for young children) in confidence on tele: 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk to get help and advice about a wide range of issues. You can talk to a counsellor online or you can send an email or post on the message boards.
Resources for Young People
Barnardo’s – Spot the signs
Visit the Barnardo’s website www.barnardos.org.uk and look at their child sexual exploitation pages.
Advice for parents, professionals and young people on the signs of sexual exploitation and how to keep safe. Download the leaflets for parents, and young people from  www.barnardos.org.uk/
CEOP Thinkuknow programme
The website www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ provides the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online.
Childline is not just for young children!
Go to www.childline.org.uk for advice about a wide range of issues.
Disrespect NoBody is a campaign aimed at promoting healthy relationships – visit their website www.disrespectnobody.co.uk to find out about the different types of abuse, get advice and have a look at the organisations that can help.
Stop it now is a UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Other sites:
