Stop child exploitation

Date published: 28 April 2023 07:27

Exploitation destroys childhoods

Every child deserves a happy, safe childhood free from harm or abuse. For most children, this will always be the case. But sadly, there are criminals out there who will take advantage wherever they can.

Many victims of exploitation do not disclose abuse at the time it’s happening – perhaps not realising they are a victim or feeling they can’t tell anyone about it. That’s why it’s so important that bystanders advocate for them and make a report or seek support on their behalf.

We encourage everyone to spot the warning signs of child exploitation and to help children.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a young girl smiling, putting lipstick on in a mirror. The lipstick is smudged around her lips. The bottom image shows a teenage girl at a house party looking glum with her lipstick smeared. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows two teenage boys smiling, playing rugby in a park. The bottom image shows the same boys in hoodies in an alleyway covered in graffiti. One boy is passing the other a package. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows two young boys playing with a train set, they are both smiling. The bottom image shows two teenage boys at a train station, one has his arm on the other as though pulling him but the boy is resisting. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a young boy giving a young girl a valentines card whilst he holds a teddy, they are both smiling. The bottom image shows a teenage girl sat with her arms around her knees whilst looking at a mobile phone. The message reads: “Today 10:40PM Send me a pic (an emoji with a wink face) don’t tell anyone tho (there is an emoji with fingers on lip face)” The room is dark and it contrasts with the image above. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

What is child exploitation?

Child exploitation is a type of child abuse. When a child or young person is exploited, they are groomed by criminals - being given things like money, presents, drugs or alcohol, affection, or perceived status. These things are given as a manipulation tactic to convince them to do something for their abuser, or their associates.

This can include carrying out criminal activity like dealing or couriering drugs, which is known as child criminal exploitation, or being forced to perform sexual acts, which is known as child sexual exploitation.

Sometimes, children are forced to carry out criminal activity in places outside of South Yorkshire - this is known as county lines. This is when gangs use children to transport weapons, money, or drugs across counties to other towns or perhaps more rural areas.

Many children who are exploited do not realise they are being abused. Their abuser will spot any vulnerabilities the child has and learn to understand their wants and needs in order to manipulate them. Alternatively, they will apply fear, intimidation, or threats of violence in order to force the child to do their bidding.

Who does it affect?

There is no ‘typical victim’ when it comes to child exploitation. Any child could be at risk of being targeted by criminals.

However, children with vulnerabilities such as learning difficulties, those who are neglected, and children who are regularly missing from home are at greater risk of being exploited.

There is also not a ‘typical offender’. Offences are committed by men and women of all ages and backgrounds.

There are many ways that exploitation can begin, and children can be groomed in different ways – they may even be coerced by their own friends, who are under the influence of a gang. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, online grooming has significantly increased, with criminals approaching children through social media or online gaming.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a young boy sat on a sofa reading a book, he’s smiling and the image is bright. The bottom image shows a teenage by looking glum, sat with a brick wall behind him, the image is dark in contrast to the one above. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows two young girls having a tea party with their teddy bears. They look happy, doing a “cheers” with their tea cups. The bottom image shows a teenage girl in the back room of a takeaway, there is a man giving her a bottle of alcohol and she looks glum. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a teenage boy sat on his bed playing on a games console. There are posters on the wall behind him and the image is bright. The bottom image shows the same boy sat on the same bed with the same background, however it is darker and there is a message that says: “Today 11:40AM End him 2nite or ur life is over” The boy has his head resting on his hand and he looks glum. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a boy sat with his parents around a table, the kitchen behind them is clean and tidy and bright. They are all smiling. The bottom image shows a teenage boy with his head resting on his hand, behind him the kitchen is dark, dirty and untidy. The table has unwashed pots piled on it. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The signs

The early warning signs can be difficult to spot, but here are some of the changes you might see if a child is being exploited:

A sharp or sudden change in mood or behaviour
Becoming withdrawn, anxious, angry, secretive, distant or fearful of others
A new, much older, boyfriend
Being secretive about their activities or whereabouts
Skipping school or going missing regularly
Socialising with much older friends
Being secretive about who they are in contact with
Becoming withdrawn, anxious, angry, secretive or distant.
A new interest or reliance on drugs or alcohol
Unexplained gifts such as a new, second phone, alcohol, food, money, jewellery, or clothing

A child may present one of these signs, or a combination of several.

What are South Yorkshire Police doing?

From 2023, we will have a dedicated exploitation team in each of our four districts – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. Officers in these teams are specialists in supporting victims and investigating such crimes.

We also work with partners such as local councils, support agencies and charities to ensure we continue to develop our knowledge, identify vulnerable children and offer the best possible support to those affected.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a boy and a girl on swings in a park. They are smiling and look relaxed. The image is in two parts. The bottom image shows a girl against a wall looking ahead whilst a man stands over her with his arm blocking her and his hand against the wall. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows three boys sat in a row smiling, one boy is passing a birthday party invitation to the boy sat in the middle. The image is in two parts. The bottom image shows three boys in a back alley, two boys have their hoods up and look to be beckoning the other to join them. The boy looks uncomfortable. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a boy proudly holding a football trophy with trees in the background. The bottom image shows the same boy looking down at a gun he is holding with a concerned expression. The backdrop is a wall covered in graffiti. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows two young girls in the garden with one chasing the other. The girl being chased has a teddy in her hand. The bottom image shows two girls walking into a hotel room where a man is sat in a chair waiting for them. A man is holding the door open as one girl is leading the other inside with her hand around her back.

How can I report?

If you are concerned about a child and you suspect they may be being exploited, please report to us so we can help. Even the smallest suspicion could mean they are at risk.

You can report by calling 101 or going online and using our live chat function or online portal.

If they are in immediate danger, call 999.

If you think you are being exploited, please know it is not your fault. It is only ever the offender who is to blame. Please report to us so we can help keep you safe.

How can I get support?

There are a number of ways you can access help and support that don’t involve reporting directly to police.

NSPCC

National Working Group

The Children's Society

Support Line

Barnardos The Junction

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Hackenthorpe Lodge)

Support for parents

CSE advice for parents, carers and guardians

Sexual abuse online- how can I protect my child?

PACE (Parents Against Child Exploitation)

Support for teachers

Support for Teachers or professionals working with children and young people

The image is in two parts. The top image shows four boys sat on a field. They all look relaxed and are smiling. The bottom image shows the same boys looking serious whilst sat outside a taxi rank. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

The image is in two parts. The top image shows a young girl and boy at the park smiling. The bottom image shows a man giving a teenage girl a present in a designer bag. They are in an alleyway and he is leaning over her. The image contrasts with the image above. There is text overlaying the images which reads: Even the happiest childhood can be destroyed by exploitation.

Our ongoing work to tackle CSE

Exploitation of children, in all of its forms, is absolutely abhorrent and tackling it continues to be a high priority for South Yorkshire Police.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) remains an issue in South Yorkshire and across the country. Our understanding of this type of offending has developed considerably since the time of the Jay Report in 2014 and the way we deal with it has greatly improved.

We now have dedicated teams which work closely with partner agencies to proactively investigate this type of crime. The development of our response has been shaped by listening to the experience of survivors of CSE and the most recent report by HMICFRS - released in January 2023 - found South Yorkshire Police to be ‘outstanding’ at protecting vulnerable people.

Operation Stovewood, the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) independent investigation into child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) in Rotherham, which was requested by South Yorkshire Police, continues to make good progress.

Child exploitation in South Yorkshire

Our 2021 Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) profile can be read here.