Child sexual exploitation What is child sexual exploitation
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. Children in exploitative situations and relationships receive something such as gifts, money or affection as a result of performing sexual activities or others performing sexual activities on them.
Children or young people may be tricked into believing they're in a loving, consensual relationship. They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol. They may also be groomed and exploited online.
Child sexual exploitation is a hidden crime. Young people often trust their abuser and don't understand that they're being abused. They may depend on their abuser or be too scared to tell anyone what's happening.
It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults, including oral and anal rape. In some cases, young people are persuaded or forced into exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts, affection or status. Child sexual exploitation doesn't always involve physical contact and can happen online.
Child sexual abuse online
When sexual exploitation happens online, young people may be persuaded, or forced, to:
- send or post sexually explicit images of themselves
- take part in sexual activities via a webcam or smartphone
- have sexual conversations by text or online.
Abusers may threaten to send images, video or copies of conversations to the young person's friends and family unless they take part in other sexual activity.
Images or videos may continue to be shared long after the sexual abuse has stopped.
Child sexual exploitation in gangs
Sexual exploitation is used in gangs to:
- exert power and control over members
- initiate young people into the gang
- exchange sexual activity for status or protection
- entrap rival gang members by exploiting girls and young women
- inflict sexual assault as a weapon in conflict.
Girls and young women are frequently forced into sexual activity by gang members. Research by Beckett (2012) found girls considered to be engaging in casual sex were seen as forfeiting their right to refuse sex.
The majority of sexual exploitation within gangs is committed by teenage boys and men in their twenties (Berelowitz et al, 2012).
Overwere victims of sexual exploitation in gangs and groups from August 2010 to October 2011
Explanation: 2,409 children were confirmed as victims of sexual exploitation in gangs and groups during the 14-month period from August 2010 to October 2011.
Stop it Before it Starts: a free service
Stop it Before it Starts is a free service providing bespoke support and training on preventing child sexual exploitation. It's aimed at voluntary organisations working with young people in London communities.
We know that preventative work is a key factor in responding to child sexual exploitation (CSE). And having early conversations about healthy relationships and consent is vital to tackling it before it starts.
Research1 tells us that that the most effective type of intervention is relationship based support. Stop it Before it Starts helps voluntary organisations build their capacity to work with young people. This could be a youth club, residential unit, hostel or a playground.
This service was developed with external agencies, with funding from Comic Relief and Big Lottery.
Stop it Before it Starts focuses on strengthening and supporting the excellent work that already exists within the voluntary sector.
A social worker from the NSPCC will have an initial consultation with the organisation to identify their needs, before creating a tailored plan of support. This might include a series of workshops, a practical skills session or joint group work.
Where an organisation is concerned about a specific young person, the social worker may take on some direct work.
What research tells us about child sexual exploitation
Child sexual exploitation isn't a separate category of abuse in child protection procedures. This means data is often:
- missing or incomplete
- concealed in other categories of abuse or crime
In law, there's no specific crime of child sexual exploitation. Offenders are often convicted for associated offences such as sexual activity with a child. Therefore it's not possible to obtain figures from police statistics of sexual exploitation offences (Berelowitz et al, 2012).
Helping children who have been sexually exploited
Find out how you can help protect children who have experienced, or at risk of, child sexual exploitation.
Signs, indicators and effects
Find out more about the signs, indicators and effects of child sexual exploitation.
Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purpose of sexual abuse or exploitation.
More about child sexual exploitation
Who is affected
Sexual exploitation can happen to any young person – whatever their background, age, gender, race or sexuality or wherever they live.
Preventing child sexual exploitation
How we can protect children and young people from sexual exploitation.
Facts and statistics
Read the latest facts and statistics about child sexual exploitation.
What you can do
In the average primary school class, at least 2 children have suffered abuse or neglect. Donate now and help protect children today and prevent abuse from happening tomorrow.
Work or volunteer with children and families?
Visit NSPCC Learning for information, resources and training to help you safeguard and protect children and young people across the UK.
Beckett, H. et al (2012) Research into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence: interim report (PDF). Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Berelowitz, S. et al (2012) “I thought I was the only one. The only one in the world.” The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s inquiry in to child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups: interim report (PDF). London: Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) (2011) Out of mind, out of sight: breaking down the barriers to child sexual exploitation: executive summary (PDF). London: CEOP.