Even if you went along with things at first. Abusers are very clever in the way they manipulate young people.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse, when you are made or tricked into doing something sexual sometimes receiving something in return like love, affection, money, drugs or alcohol.
Need to know more?
Faceup2it - information and advice about CSE for young people, developed by young people.
Disrespect Nobody - campaign about healthy relationships and respect.
Barnardos - Real Love Rocks - raising awareness around Child Sexual Exploitation and what a healthy and safe relationship is.
Criminal Exploitation includes gang crime and county lines. A gang may claim control over territory in a community, and engaging either individually or collectively in violent behaviour or other types of criminal activity.
County lines is when gangs and organised crime networks groom and exploit children to sell drugs. They may make you travel across counties, and they use dedicated mobile phone ‘lines’ to supply drugs.
If you have become involved in a gang, are being pressurised to engage in county line activity and want help to get out of that lifestyle the websites below can offer support. You can report exploitation (of yourself or a friend) to the Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you're on a train or in a station you can text British Transport Police on 61016.
Resources:
Operation Henderson Campaign - raising awareness of the risk of exploitation on public transport
Essex County Lines Campaign - helping young people to recognise the signs and where to go for help.
Gangsline - provides help and support to young men and women involved in gang culture.
You & Co youth programme - Coping with the effects of crime together
A Bad Romance: A Live Snapchat story - YouTube
Stop It Now! – for anyone who is concerned about their own behaviour or the behaviour of others
ThinkYouKnow – advice and support from the National Crime Agency
Trafficking is where children and young people are tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold.
It can happen to anyone. You could only be taken next door or down the road – it’s still classed as trafficking.
Need help or more information?
Modern Slavery helpline - You can call the 24/7 Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700, for free support. They will offer you advice on your situation and on your options for getting out of it if you want to.
Advice for Young People - A leaflet produced by the NSPCC Child Trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC) Young People’s Advisory Group
Being aware of the risk of technology, social media and the internet can play a massive part in helping you stay safe and avoid online exploitation, abuse or bullying. Check out our staying safe online page for information on privacy settings, what to do if you receive indecent images and how to game online safely.
Resources:
Think U Know - Online safety resources
Marie Collins Foundation Steering clear of Indecent Images of Children – helping young men to stay safe online - This campaign aims to protect victims from online sexual abuse by guiding young men away from illegal content and driving awareness of the law so they can navigate their online environment safely and legally.
Consent means agreeing to do something. When it comes to sex, this means someone agreeing to take part in a sexual activity. Any sort of sexual contact without consent is illegal whatever the age of the people involved. If someone does not give consent and a person still engages in a sexual act with them, this is sexual assault or rape. More information on consent.
If you’ve ever been asked to send photos of yourself that you’re not comfortable with, and you don’t know how to respond, there’s a great new app to help. Zipit has a load of images and animations which you can send in response to deal with a situation before it gets out of hand, and it stops you being put in an awkward position. Check out Molly’s video on how to handle the pressure of being asked for nudes.
The Home Office has published guidance to help young people understand the law on nude - take a look at the Is she Legal? Video
What should you do if you come across nude images?
If you stumble across nudes of children under 18 online, you can help by reporting it to the Internet Watch Foundation.
Exploitation - from a young person's perspective
Southend Borough Council Videos
County Lines: "I'm so much stronger and happier now"
Who’s controlling your friends?
"Lives Over Knives" by Southend Youth Council
Stop It Now! Child sexual abuse helpline - The Lucy Faithfull Foundation
This is a helpline for anyone worried about their own, or another person’s (adult or child) sexual behaviour or sexual interests.
CEOP 11-18 Website - The internet, relationships & you. The new 11-18s website offers information and guidance which is appropriate and relevant to the experiences of young people aged 11-18.
The Missing People helpline 116000 is also Free and confidential. The helpline is open 7 days per week, between 9am and 11pm. If you are missing, thinking of going missing, or someone you know is missing, we're here for you. You can call or text us, even if you have no credit on your mobile.
Missing People - exploitation and county lines
