Warning Signs of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Knowing the warning signs for Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) can help keep you and your friends safe.

There are a number of signs to look out for, either in what you are doing yourself or some of the things you see from a friend.

It’s important to remember that individually these might not necessarily be warning signs of CSE, however when you start to see a number of them at the same time, there is a real possibility that you or a friend are being sexually exploited.

Remember, sharing your concern with a trusted adult, such as a parent, carer, teacher or school nurse can help protect you or a friend.

Here are some signs to look out for in your friends.

This can be normal and is not always a problem, however if the person seems to be a lot older then this could be a warning sign of CSE.

Perpetrators can be of any age though, so they may be someone who is the same age as their victim.

Lying about where they’re going, who they’re with or who they are messaging.

Spending a lot more time than usual on the phone, or receiving texts, messages or phone calls from different people.

Speaking to people they don’t know personally via social media or chatrooms.

Arranging to meet up with someone online can be dangerous, especially if the person doesn’t tell anyone who they are meeting and where.

REMEMBER, people online can pretend to be anyone they want to be.

A change in how they dress or how they look. This can include the clothes they wear or the amount of make-up they use.

Occasionally staying out after curfew can happen. However, if it continues and becomes later and later that someone gets home or even stays out all night, this can be a warning sign of CSE.

Missing school is a warning sign, as perpetrators of CSE develop stronger relationships, everyday activities like school start to be neglected or pressure can be put on a person to stop them going to school.

Perpetrators use gifts to make people feel special, but then can use them against the person by saying that they now owe them something in return.

Gifts can include money, drugs, alcohol, clothes, phones and other expensive items.

A change in friendship can happen as people get older. It’s a warning sign of CSE if there is a sudden change or you start to see others distance themselves away from their usual friendship group.

Perpetrators can be controlling over who someone talks to and who they are friends with. They are clever with how they do this and someone may not realise what is happening until it’s too late.

Drugs and alcohol can be given as gifts by perpetrators. It is sometimes used as a way of taking advantage of a child or young person as they may not be aware of what they are doing whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

(REMEMBER, a person may not have capacity to consent to sexual activity whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs).

Some young people who have been exploited may find that they have to visit sexual health clinics on a regular basis for testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or for the morning after pill.

Some young people really struggle with how to cope with their emotions or how they are feeling, especially if they have been exploited.

Self-harm, low mood and overdoses can be a warning sign that a child or young person has been exploited.

While this list shows some of the common warning signs of CSE, there are a number of other signs too.

It’s important to remember that, if you have any concerns about yourself or a friend, you tell a trusted adult, like a parent, school nurse or teacher. If you can’t do this face to face, there are services you can contact like ChatHealth or Childline. In an emergency, call 999.

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