Child Sexual Exploitation
CSE
Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs when an individual or a group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into sexual activity a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and or b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.
CSE does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Grooming 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.
Signs you may notice:
- Going missing from home or school- attendance concerns
- Unhealthy or inappropriate sexualised behaviour
- Being secretive
- Increase in online activity
- Having an older boyfriend/girlfriend
- Sexually transmitted infections
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.
All schools have an important role in addressing this issue through their programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE):
“Opportunities to learn about sexual exploitation should be available in age appropriate forms in both primary and secondary schools. Open conversations inside and outside the classroom can help children recognise potentially abusive behaviours, identify trusted adults who they can talk to and offer information about support services.” ( Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse)
The importance of PSHEE in helping to keep children safe was highlighted in the Ofsted report The sexual exploitation of children: it couldn’t happen here, could it? (November 2014).
At Woodlands, we are committed to ensuring that the issue of CSE is addressed in an appropriate and supportive way. Linking the teaching of PSHE education with relevant school policies, including: RSHE, Online Safety, Anti-bullying and Child Protection helps to ensure clear links with our whole school ethos.
A prevention curriculum is combined with our safe and secure school environment which promotes positive and respectful relationships between children, between pupils and staff, and includes wider parent/carer engagement.
Key messages about healthy relationships are taught to all ages to explore topics such as friendships, appropriate touch, keeping safe, consent, recognising and assessing risk and knowing how and where to get help.
Our fundamental priority is to safeguard our pupils from abuse and exploitation.
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): mash@wiltshire.gov.uk 0300 4560108 Out of hours: 0300 456 0100
Useful documents for Parents/Carers
Barnardo’s parent/carer leaflet CSE
NSPCC Underwear rule and PANTS
NSPCC Underwear rule for children