Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Exploitation
We recognise that it has been some time since this statutory guidance has been reviewed and updated in relation to child sexual exploitation. Following the Independent Inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford and Wrekin and working with some individuals with lived experience of child sexual exploitation and who now work in the field of child sexual exploitation, both in the provision of support and in policy and advice Telford & Wrekin Council have adopted the following definition of child sexual exploitation:
‘Child sexual exploitation is a type of modern slavery when a male or female under 18 is sexually exploited for the benefit or gain of someone else. The benefit or gain can come in many forms such as increased social status or financial gain. Some victims are also trafficked for the purpose of exploitation.’
Child Criminal Exploitation is defined by the UK Government as:
‘Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity
a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or
c) through violence or the threat of violence The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual.
Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.’ Child Criminal Exploitation is commonly associated with County Lines, but it can go beyond this to include, for example, children forced to work on cannabis farms or to commit theft.
‘County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other forms of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.’
Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Children Partnership is committed to continuous development of our Child Exploitation offer, our strategy focuses on preventing, identifying and responding to child exploitation, setting out how all agencies will work together to ensure the most effective and coordinated response in our determination to tackle child exploitation in Telford and Wrekin. It has drawn on evidence of effective practice from national and local research, policy and guidance. It has also taken into account the learning and recommendations from the Telford & Wrekin Council commissioned Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation report published 2022 and the annual reports of the Joint Child Sexual Exploitation Group.
Traditionally, safeguarding services were developed and structured to address familial risk. Children’s needs and experiences are very different as they get older. Risks outside the home or family become more relevant. Abusers often use alcohol, drugs, actual or threatened violence, kindness and affection to develop a connection with a child they intend to exploit. The manipulation at the core of exploitation is often as a result of an imbalance of power.
As children grow, they invariably become involved in social networks, relationships and environments outside of their family network. The majority of children do this in a safe and fulfilling way. However, all children can encounter individuals who seek to exploit their vulnerability or environments that exposes them to risk of harm. These environments and relationships can often serve to undermine and disempower parents and carers in the lives of children.
Understanding contexts relevant to the daily lived experience of our children and young people is key to reducing risk and improving outcomes. Therefore, this strategy is underpinned by a contextual safeguarding approach (developed by Dr Carlene Firmin, University of Bedfordshire’s and Durham’s University Contextual Safeguarding Network) to understand and respond to young people’s experiences of harm beyond their families set in contexts and relationships where such harm occurs.
It is also important to recognise that it is not possible to tackle children and young people’s vulnerability, risk and harm with child-based work only. The disruption and pursuit of those people and places thought to be a risk to children; and the mechanisms by which we identify, and coordinate is critical. Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership sets out our approach to how we will – Understand and Identify, Prevent, Action and Support, Disrupt exploitation and Bring to Justice. Our collective efforts must span these areas to ensure we secure the best outcomes for our children and young people, and not work in isolation.
Where young people are moving into adulthood it is important that we as a partnership provide transition support to ensure those who remain vulnerable have access to services and networks that can continue to engage and support them.