STREETWISE OF SOUTHEND Monday, 30 th January 2006

Streetwise Southend A multi-faceted service to young women and men aged 10 – 18 years who are at risk of or who are involved in sexual exploitation. A multi-faceted service to young women and men aged 10 – 18 years who are at risk of or who are involved in sexual exploitation.

What is sexual exploitation? The prostitution of children is a form of sexual exploitation involving payment or reward of some kind Barnardos, 2000

United Nations Definition Sexual exploitation is the use of children for the sexual satisfaction of adults. The basis of the exploitation is the unequal power relations between the child and the adult. The child is exploited for her/his youth and sexuality

Risk Indicators Episodes of running away/being missing Episodes of running away/being missing Staying out overnight Staying out overnight Poor relationships Poor relationships Street homelessness Street homelessness Self-harm/overdosing Self-harm/overdosing Going to areas associated with drug use/prostitution Going to areas associated with drug use/prostitution Inappropriate clothing Inappropriate clothing Reports suggesting involvement in clipping/selling sex Reports suggesting involvement in clipping/selling sex Associating with older men/boyfriends Associating with older men/boyfriends Risky behaviour – getting in cars etc Risky behaviour – getting in cars etc

Risk Indicators History of sexual abuse or neglect History of sexual abuse or neglect Vulnerable young person – Looked After, Learning Difficulties Vulnerable young person – Looked After, Learning Difficulties Unaccompanied minor/trafficked young person Unaccompanied minor/trafficked young person Non school attendance Non school attendance Physical symptoms bruising, STI’s Physical symptoms bruising, STI’s Substance abuse Substance abuse New clothes, mobiles New clothes, mobiles Inappropriate sexualised behaviour Inappropriate sexualised behaviour Older ‘boyfriend’ Older ‘boyfriend’ Gay or exploring sexuality Gay or exploring sexuality

The harsh reality… (Home Office, 2004) Age of involvement – 52% became involved aged 18 or younger (2004) Age of involvement – 52% became involved aged 18 or younger (2004) Background of care – 37% had experience of LAC (2004) Background of care – 37% had experience of LAC (2004) Care/Accommodation – 67% of young runaways wil stay with a stranger (and get hurt) (2001) Care/Accommodation – 67% of young runaways wil stay with a stranger (and get hurt) (2001) Education – 75% had been truanting and/or missing from school (2004) Education – 75% had been truanting and/or missing from school (2004)

January 2006 (Barnardos) 50% of all adult prostitutes in the UK today started at the age of 13 or 14

Why Southend? Seaside town Seaside town Pockets of deprivation Pockets of deprivation High influx of Asylum Seekers and Refugees High influx of Asylum Seekers and Refugees Arcades and Leisure facilities (Seafront) Arcades and Leisure facilities (Seafront) Being close to London Being close to London

Our partners in Southend Young Person Dept C & L PoliceHealthSchoolsYOS Voluntary Sector Housing

What works in Southend Relationship based support Relationship based support Practical support Practical support Peer/socialisation Peer/socialisation Advocacy Advocacy Links to other services Links to other services Child protection Child protection Multi-agency work Multi-agency work Engagement with staff Engagement with staff Support in obtaining/ maintaining accommodation Support in obtaining/ maintaining accommodation Effective advocacy Effective advocacy Return/support to education/training Return/support to education/training Safe adults Safe adults

Young Persons worked with: Total: 22 referrals (3 male & 19 female) received since April 2005 Total: 22 referrals (3 male & 19 female) received since April 2005 Currently working with 8 Young Persons Currently working with 8 Young Persons Main referrers: Multi Agency Clusters, Schools and Dept of Children & Learning and NSPCC (out of area) Main referrers: Multi Agency Clusters, Schools and Dept of Children & Learning and NSPCC (out of area)

I walk down the street With my eyes open wide Looking for punters And trying no to cry I was only 13 My childhood robbed But this is my fate And this is my job I glance over my shoulder And stare at a phone If only I could just phone home Then I spot CID Observing me So I walk away quickly I’m approached by a man With money in his hand I close my eyes And think of stuff While I’m used and abused Hoping he won’t be rough Lorna, 2003 Lorna, 2003