1. Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People Presented by Steffani Smith Organisational Development Advisor & Russ Saunders Youth Support Lead

2. 2 Introduction

3. 3 Ground Rules CONFIDENTIALITY RESPONSIBILITY LEARNING OUTCOMES PARTICIPATION RESPECT SENSITIVITY EVALUATION

4. Aims To have an understanding of what sexual exploitation is, it’s impact and the pattern of sexual exploitation in South Tyneside and Tyne and Wear

5. Learning Outcomes To be able to identify risk factors in young people that should lead to further questions around sexual exploitation. Understand the safeguarding process in relation to young people at risk of sexual exploitation including the legal context. Be aware of what services are available for young people and how those services work with young people around sexual exploitation. To examine your practice in relation to sexual exploitation issues. Professional responsibility

6. The Child’s Voice When & how are you going to hear the child? Think about the opportunity to hear. Consult children regarding the child protection conference. What does the child say? Observation – is the child comfortable, happy at home, seen, heard, not heard. Telling you or not telling you. S/T SCR Dec. 2010 – www.stscb.org.uk

7. REMEMBER Child sexual exploitation is a child protection issue that needs to be referred on as per STSCB child protection procedures www.stscb.org.uk

8. What is Child Sexual Exploitation? In groups discuss what you understand by the term ‘Child Sexual Exploitation’

9. Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person/s) receive ‘something’ (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, 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 child’s immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the Internet /mobile phones without immediate payment or gain What is Child Sexual Exploitation? Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation, DCSF 2009

10. 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 intimidation are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability What is Sexual Exploitation ? Cont.. Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation, DCSF 2009

11. Research – What we know Age – sexual exploitation often starts age 12 -13 Gender – affects girls and boys Ethnicity – happens in all communities Vulnerability – any young person can be targeted Especially vulnerable groups Looked after children Children leaving care Children with learning difficulties Jago & Pearce (2008)

12. Sexual Offences Act 2003 Part 1 Created 71 new offences including; rape, sexual assault, child sexual offences, abuse of a position of trust, familial child sexual offences, offences concerning persons with a mental disorder, indecent images of children,

13. Sexual Offences Act 2003 Part 1 cont... child prostitution and pornography, preparatory offences, exposure, voyeurism, intercourse with an animal, sexual penetration of a corpse, sexual activity in a public lavatory and offences outside the UK

14. Sexual Offences Act 2003 Part 2 Deals with Sex Offenders Introduced new civil preventative orders: Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPO) consolidating and improving previous legislation Strengthening notification requirement orders, foreign travel orders and Risk of Sexual Harm Orders (RSHOs)

15. Consent A person consents if they agree by choice and have the freedom and the capacity to make that choice

16. Consent To Sexual Activity The Children Act 2004 defines a child as under 18 years ( & 18, 19 & 25 if they have been in care or have learning difficulties) Over 16 can consent to sex with the same or opposite sex. A person under 18 involved in sexual exploitation cannot give consent to their own abuse.

18. Grooming Processes The Party Model Peer/Gang culture Taking control The internet The boyfriend model

19. Family environment and vulnerability Parenting capacity/history Drug & alcohol abuse Learning difficulty Mental health issues Family breakdown Poverty Family members Tolerance of child going missing Attachments to others Intimidation of family members School life Previous abuse } Push Factors

20. Impact of Child Sexual Exploitation on families Health Family relationships Work life Social life Threats Risks to other siblings

21. Quiz - Agree/disagree/don’t know 1. Young people should be 16 before they are involved in any sexual activity 2. The law influences the age at which children begin sexual relationships 3. The majority of girls first sexual experience is coerced in some way 4. In law a 12 year old boy is considered incapable of rape 5. Sexual offences are more serious if the girl is below 13 6. There should be an age when it is recognised that children can never consent to sex

22. What is Trafficking? The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat of or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments of benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. Palermo Protocol

23. Why are children trafficked? Sexual exploitation Domestic servitude cleaning, looking after children Labour exploitation restaurants, sweatshops, building sites, cleaning Enforced criminality street theft, cannabis cultivation, drug dealing, trafficking Benefit fraud Illegal inter-country adoption

24. Risk Factors Research shows certain factors make children more vulnerable to trafficking and sexual exploitation: Experience of previous abuse. Experience / witnessing Domestic Violence. Desire / need for money. Drug / alcohol misuse. Family history of prostitution. History of care.

25. Risk Factors cont. Homelessness. Isolation Lack of awareness of the risks Low self–esteem, self- worth, self-harm. Poor attachments. Poor school attendance/exclusion Young gay/bisexual male exploring sexuality in an unsupported way. www.stscb.org.uk

26. Professional Responsibility To identify the risk To refer on to the Referral & Assessment Unit (tel. 4564473) if appropriate Disseminate this information to all of your staff Incorporate Child Sexual Exploitation in your schools Child Protection Policy To provide young people with the knowledge & skills to protect themselves in Personal Health & Social Education classes

27. Young People’s Reservations Confidentiality Why people referred What will replace the gains from prostitution if they stop. Sexual health issues Drug/alcohol/ health issues Self Esteem/ambitions Mental health/social skills

28. Young Peoples Reservations cont. Employment/education Housing /accommodation Relationships Abuse issues Photographs, videos explicit material regarding their exploitation. How these issues are explored is very important as each C&YP is different.

29. Barnardo’s Practical education packs for use in schools & youth settings for personal health and social education: Respecting Self – encouraging & promoting safe, equal, respectful & consensual relationship Protecting self & keeping safe – loving & abusive relationships Can be purchased by tel. 0191-240 4800

30. Thank You Evaluation Forms Certificates