Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It can happen to children and teenagers, male and female, and from any background. It happens when the child or young person is exploited, coerced or manipulated into engaging in sexual activity in return for something they need or desire and/or for the gain of a third person.
Contact the PSNI on 101 or ring 999 if you feel that the child or young person is in immediate danger.
There is no typical victim of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). However there are warning signs which may indicate something is wrong – and if you know what you’re looking for, you can take steps to help them.
What are the signs?
Common signs that a child or young person may be being exploited are:
- changes in behaviour, possibly becoming more sexual in the way they talk, dress or behave;
- serious mood swings (more than usual teenage mood swings), depression, low self-esteem, possible attempts to self-harm or commit suicide;
- changes in friendship groups and being secretive about their new friends. Some of their friends may be older than them or even adults;
- going missing from school, home or care, or staying out all night and being secretive or defensive about where they have been. They may return dishevelled or distraught or under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- receiving odd calls and messages on their mobiles or social media pages from unknown people, possibly much older;
- they may be in possession of new, expensive items which they couldn’t possibly afford, such as mobile phones, iPads, jewellery etc;
- they may physically look tired or unwell and sleep at unusual hours of the day, or they may have marks or scars on their body which they try to conceal.
Advice for professionals and volunteers on Child Sexual Exploitation is on the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland website.