Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is the coercion or manipulation of children and young people into taking part in sexual activities.
It is a crime that can affect any child, anytime, anywhere - regardless of their social or ethnic background.
It involves offenders grooming children and young people and using their power to sexually abuse them. It can take many forms, whether it occurs through a seemingly 'consensual' relationship with an older boyfriend, or a young person having sex in return for attention, gifts, alcohol, drugs or cigarettes.
The Police and their partners are committed to preventing child sexual abuse, helping victims and bringing offenders to justice.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) includes:
- Exploiting a child to exchange sexual activity for some form of payment whether that be gifts, accommodation or money.
- Abuse through the production of indecent images and material involving children including photographs, films or other technology.
- Abuse through grooming whether by direct contact or the use of technology such as mobile phones, the internet and social media.
- Abuse through trafficking for sexual purposes. Trafficking can include a car journey to a local hotel.
Children do not volunteer to be sexually exploited and they cannot consent to their own abuse; they are forced and/or coerced.
Child Sexual Exploitation applies to male and female children up to the age of 18 years irrespective of whether they are living independently, at home, with carers, or in a residential setting.
