1. Sarah Goodwin - Senior YPA Haringey and Enfield
Anna Reilly– Senior Young People’s Advocate

2. Safer London Foundation
Our vision is for young people in London to feel safe and achieve their potential
We work to improve the safety and wellbeing of young people in London affected by violence and crime 2

3. Empower is a support programme addressing young women’s experiences of sexual exploitation, primarily through gangs.
The support framework consists of:
Young women’s intensive 1:1 support
Specialist advice & case consultation
Young women’s group education programme
Young men’s group education programme
Parents and foster carers workshops
Professionals training and events 3

4. Learning Agreement Challenge the statement, not the person
Confidentiality, with exception of safeguarding
Mobiles – off or silent please!
We will be discussing sensitive issues including rape & sexual violence. Attendees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own participation.
Please be responsible for your own timekeeping 4

5. Learning Outcomes
Understand what Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) means in a gang context
Understand the roles played by women in gangs
Identify early warning signs of young people at risk of CSE
Be aware of the referral pathways in Haringey
*Information is adapted from:
‘Working with Gang affected young women experiencing sexual and domestic violence’
AVA & WAGN

6. Values and Attitudes

7. What is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?

8. What is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?
The sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive something (e.g. food accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affections, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. Child sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the Childs's immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and /or economic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidations are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the Childs or young persons limited availability of choice resulting form their social/economic and /or emotional vulnerability
National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People, 2010

9. Young People’s Perspective
“Through threats, bribes, violence, humiliation, or by telling you that they love you, they will have the power to get you to do sexual things for their own, or other people’s benefit or enjoyment, including: touching or kissing private parts, sex, taking sexual photos ...”
Young Women’s Group, New Horizons: 2008 Out of the Box: Doncaster Streetreach
“It’s when you don’t know your choices, that other people have all the power ...”
“Some one taking advantage of you sexually, for their own benefit...”

10. Individuals
Trends in CSE
2,409 confirmed victims of CSEGG August 2010 to October 2011.
16,500 at risk (3 or more behaviours)
72% were girls and 9% boys
Perpetrators are predominantly male, victims predominantly female
Most often takes place between people who are known to each other
Used as a means of boys and young men exerting power and control over girls and young women
OCC CSEGG Interim Report, Nov 2012
Gangs
Groups
Trafficked
Online
Opportunistic
Familial
Sexual
Bullying
Older
‘boyfriend’
Peer on
Peer
Child Sexual
Exploitation

11. CSE: gangs, groups and peers
Gang-associated sexual exploitation, victimisation and abuse
Sexual exploitation is not the main reason why a gang is formed
Group sexual exploitation, victimisation and abuse
Group exists in person or online for the purpose of sexual exploitation
Peer-on-peer sexual exploitation, victimisation and abuse
Exploitation of children and young people by other children and young people
CSEGG Inquiry call for evidence - OCC Autumn 2012 11

12. What roles do young women have in gangs?

13. Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG)
Line-ups – forced or coerced oral sex, multiple perpetrators
Battery chick – a woman who is expected to have sex with many members of the same gang
Gang rape - Multiple perpetrator rape
Links - Sexual activity in return for (perceived) status or protection
Honey-Trap - Young women ‘setting-up’ people in other gangs
Sexual assault as a weapon in conflict and retaliation
Gang associated SE and SV is rarely reported
Information on sexual violence against young men is less forthcoming. Sexual violence against young men is ‘viewed differently’

14. “Rape has become a weapon of choice
“Rape has become a weapon of choice ... as it is the only weapon that cannot be detected during a stop and search”
ROTA Report: Female Voice in Violence (2010) and This is it, this is My Life (2011) 14

15. Vulnerability Factors
Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household
History of abuse
Living in residential care, hostel, B&B or being homeless
Gang association either through relatives, peers, intimate relationships or neighbourhood
Lacking friends from the same age group
Attending school or are friends with young people who are sexually exploited
Not engaging in education/training or employment
Unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose sexual orientation to their families
Learning disabilities
Young carer
Recent bereavement or loss
Low self-esteem or self-confidence
OCC Inquiry CSEGG Interim Report, 2012

16. Behavioural and Risk Indicators
Older ‘boyfriend’
Gang-involved male peers
Missing from home or care
Physical injuries.
Drug or alcohol misuse
Involvement in offending
Repeat sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancy and terminations
Evidence of sexual bullying and/or vulnerability through the internet and/or social networking sites
Disclosures made then withdrawn
Unexplained money or gifts and unexplained mobiles
Absent from school
Bullying in or out of school
Change in physical appearance
Recruiting others into exploitative situations
Family involvement in sexual exploitation
Poor mental health
Self-harm or thoughts of/or attempts at suicide
CSEGG Inquiry, OCC Nov 2012 16

17. Jay

18. Professionals
Sexually exploited young people are frequently described by professionals as being;
promiscuous.. sexually available.. asking for it.. prostituting..
Suggests children are responsible for their own abuse.
Gang interruption interventions are male dominated and designed for young men
Men and boys require support to understand the consequences of their attitudes and behaviours
Services and agencies working in silos, not multi-agency and information sharing
ROTA 2010 & CSEGG, OCC Nov 2012

19. Protective Factors Knowledge of healthy relationships
Strong self-esteem
Awareness about consent
Awareness and trust in support services
“A person consents if he/she agrees by choice and
has the freedom and capacity to make that choice”
Section 74, sexual Offences Act:2003 19

20. The CSE Process and LSCB Guidance
1. Identify YP at risk using indicators and vulnerability factors
2. Bring case to attention of safeguarding lead and notify CSC
4. Put safeguarding plan into action.
Key importance that info continues to be shared as appropriate
3. CSE Strategy meeting held with all relevant professionals (including specialist CSE service)
Share information regarding indicators and vulnerability factors
Decide level of risk (low/med/high)
Create safeguarding plan
At least every 3 months meeting is held and risks and plan are reviewed. More frequently if circumstances change

21. Pan-London Sexual Exploitation Protocol

22. Aims of the Protocol
To identify those children at risk of being sexually exploited
To work collaboratively to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people who are being, or are at risk of being, sexually exploited
To provide timely and effective interventions with children and families to safeguard those vulnerable to sexual exploitation
To apply pro-active problem solving to address the risks associated with victims, perpetrators and locations and ensure the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people who are or may be at risk from sexual exploitation
To take action against those intent on abusing and exploiting children and young people by prosecuting and disrupting perpetrators
To raise awareness and provide preventative education for the welfare of children and young people who are, or may be, sexually exploited 22

23. 23

24. Contacts Sarah Goodwin- Senior YPA Haringey
Mobile:
Vic Cousins- Empower Project Manager (Haringey)
Mobile:
CSE lead- Deirdre Cregan

25. Further Reading
Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG)
Female Voice in Violence Final Report: This is it, this is my Life (ROTA 2011)
Safeguarding children affected by Gang Activity and/or serious Youth violence (LSCB 2010)
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (DCSF 2010)
MET CSE Protocol
Teenagers at Risk: The Safeguarding needs of Young People in Gangs and Violent Peer Groups (NSPCC 2009)

26. Links PACE - Parents against Child Sexual http://www.paceuk.info/
Blast - Blast support's and works with boys and young men who have been, are being, or are at risk of being sexually exploited.
Women and Girl’s Network (WGN) - offers counselling, support and advice for women who have been affected by gendered violence, including sexual and domestic violence.
CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – works across the UK tackling child sexual abuse and providing advice for parents, children and young people and practitioners