Think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.<\/p>\n
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Any child can be exploited. Help to improve the chances of young people being heard and to deter sexual predators and criminal activity through awareness of child exploitation – Say Something if You See Something.<\/p>\n
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What is child exploitation?<\/p>\n
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\tExploitation is about more than just Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), think about criminal exploitation, county lines, trafficking, and modern slavery
\n \tExploitation is abuse and children can\u2019t consent to their exploitation.
\n \tPerpetrators groom individuals who are vulnerable. Grooming is where someone builds a relationship with a child (online or offline) to manipulate them.<\/p>\n
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What are the signs of exploitation? <\/p>\n
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The look closer campaign (#Lookcloser) seeks to raise awareness of the signs and how to report them.<\/p>\n
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Other signs, depending on the type of exploitation could include:<\/p>\n
\tBeing subject to threats, blackmail and violence (linked to their own safety or safety of friends and\/or family)
\n \tBeing forced to commit crimes
\n \tNot being able to leave a gang
\n \tRisk of physical harm, emotional harm and\/or sexual abuse
\n \tFrequently going missing from home, school or care
\n \tSignificant decline in school results or performance
\n \tSignificant changes in appearance or mental health
\n \tTravelling to places they have no obvious connections with
\n \tUnwillingness to explain their whereabouts
\n \tReceiving excessive calls or texts at all hours of the day<\/p>\n
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Real life stories<\/p>\n
Trigger warning \u2013 these stories contain a personal account of exploitation and may cause distress.<\/p>\n
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10 year old Daniel<\/p>\n
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13 year old Megan<\/p>\n
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14 year old Callum<\/p>\n
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What can you do?<\/p>\n
\tWe need to disrupt perpetrators through any means possible, don\u2019t place the burden on victims to disclose to us
\n \tThink, spot and speak out against abuse \u2013 think twice think abuse and say something if you see something
\n \tRecognise and respond to all forms of exploitation
\n \tChallenge the language of exploitation \u2013 humanise where language has sought to dehumanise the child\/young person
\n \tLook at the bigger picture and see beyond a child\u2019s behaviour. Don\u2019t see the child\/YP as the problem, fixate on their behaviour or punish them \u2013 talk to them to understand their problems and see their needs
\n \tGet to know children and families for who they are, not what\u2019s happening to them
\n \tListen, care and safeguard. Don\u2019t blame, don\u2019t judge
\n \tChildren and families need you to believe them
\n \tUnderstand that victims are never to blame
\n \tTake time to build relationships with children and families \u2013 it\u2019s crucial
\n \tInvolve children and young people in decision making, it\u2019s their life
\n \tCreate safe spaces
\n \tA good relationship with a professional is the best resource a child (and family) can have
\n \tForming lasting relationships are the key to supporting exploited victims
\n \tBuild on families and communities\u2019 strengths<\/p>\n
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You can also take a look at these helpful guides designed to support parents and carers.<\/p>\n
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