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Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board Child Sexual Exploitation Raising Awareness. Housekeeping. Welcome & Introductions. AIM of the Training.
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Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board Child Sexual Exploitation • Raising Awareness
AIM of the Training To increase participants awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation as a form of Sexual Abuse and enable them to identify Vulnerability and Risk Factors
Learning Outcomes • Have an understanding of the definition of Child Sexual Exploitation • Recognise typical indicators of sexual exploitation in children and young people • Have an understanding of the Grooming Process • Understand the vulnerabilities that lead to Child Sexual Exploitation • Be able to identify Children and Young People who may be at Risk • Be clear on how, when and why to share information • Discuss ways in which to communicate and engage with vulnerable young people
Evaluating learning Please could you answer the five questions on your evaluation form BEFORE THE COURSE only!!
Guidelines for Safe Learning • Confidentiality • Listen/One speaker at a time • Respect • No such thing as a “silly” question • Responsible for your own learning • Okay to get things “wrong” • Okay to have feelings • Time/Mobiles
Exercise Group Task: What is the definition of CSE? In your groups try to come up with a definition
DEFINITION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION The definition of Child Sexual Exploitation which will be utilised across Merseyside will be: 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, affection, attention, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, or others performing on them, sexual act or activities. Child sexual exploitation grooming 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. 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 characterized in themain by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability” Safeguarding Children and Young people from Sexual Exploitation - Supplementary guidance to Working Together 2006
Group Task: Signs and Indicators Video Clip In your groups, try to identify the key signs and indicators of sexual exploitation
The following signs and behaviour are generally seen in children and young people who are already being sexually exploited. Missing from home or care. Physical injuries. Drug or alcohol misuse. Involvement in offending. Repeat sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancy and terminations. Absent from school. Change in physical appearance.
Also.. Evidence of sexual bullying and/or vulnerability through the internet and/or social networking sites. Estranged from their family. Receipt of gifts from unknown sources. Recruiting others into exploitative situations. Poor mental health. Self-harm. Thoughts of or attempts at suicide.
WARNING SIGNS AND VULNERABILITIES CHECKLIST The following have been identified as typical vulnerabilities: Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household (including parental substance use, domestic violence, parental mental health issues, parental criminality). History of abuse (including familial child sexual abuse, risk of forced marriage, risk of ‘honour’- based violence, physical and emotional abuse and neglect). Recent bereavement or loss. Gang association either through relatives, peers or intimate relationships (in cases of gang associated CSE only). Attending school with young people who are sexually exploited. Learning disabilities.
Unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose sexual orientation to their families. Friends with young people who are sexually exploited. Homeless. Lacking friends from the same age group. Living in a gang neighbourhood. Living in residential care, or are looked after. Living in hostel, bed and breakfast accommodation or a foyer. Low self-esteem or self-confidence. Young carer.
Evidence shows that any child displaying several vulnerabilities from the above lists should be considered to be at high risk of sexual exploitation. Professionals should immediately start an investigation to determine the risk, along with preventative and protective action as required. However, it is important to note that children without pre-existing vulnerabilities can still be sexually exploited. Therefore, any child showing risk indicators in the second list, but none of the vulnerabilities in the first, should also be considered as a potential victim, with appropriate assessment and action put in place as required.
All organisations and agencies need to take account of the vulnerabilities checklist and work together to identify children showing the warning signs of, or who are vulnerable to, child sexual exploitation, and act accordingly:
Oxford March 2012 Operation Bullfinch "It is clear there was an organised and sophisticated gang of predatory men who set up a criminal business of, corrupting, isolating and abusing the girls and selling them for sexual purposes. The girls have lived through hell and for them to come to court and give evidence has been nothing short of incredible. The strength and fortitude they have shown has been inspirational. I only hope they can draw a line under this traumatic period of their lives and move forward.”
Rochdale May 2012 • Nine men who ran a child sexual exploitation ring in Greater Manchester have been jailed. • The men from Rochdale and Oldham, who exploited girls as young as 13 were given sentences ranging from four to 19 years- 77 years in total. • They were found guilty of offences including rape, trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child. • Liverpool Crown Court heard the group plied five victims with drink and drugs and "passed them around" for sex. • The girls were abused at two takeaway restaurants
Stockport October 2013 Three men jailed for sexually abusing two vulnerable girls in Stockport. The two victims were aged between 14 and 16 when the abuse took place between 2008 and 2011. The abuse came to light after social workers in Stockport became concerned about young girls who were going missing from home.
Myths Versus Reality Myth: There are very few ‘models’ of CSE Reality: The grooming and sexual exploitation of young people can take many different forms. Myth: It only happens in certain ethnic/cultural communities Reality: Both perpetrators and victims are known to come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Myth: It only happens to children in care Reality: The majority of victims of CSE are living at home. However, looked after children account for a disproportionate number of victims and can be particularly vulnerable.
Myth : It only happens to girls and young women Reality: Boys and young men are also targeted as victims of CSE by perpetrators. Myth : It is only perpetrated by men Reality: There is evidence that women can be perpetrators of this crime too. They may use different grooming methods but are known to target both boys and girls. Myth : It only happens to young teenagers by men Reality: Peer-on-peer child sexual exploitation happens too and this can also take various different forms.
Myth : Parents should know what is happening and be able to stop it Reality: Parents may be unlikely to be able to identify what is happening: they may suspect that something is not right but may not be in a position to stop it due to the control, threats or fear of the perpetrators. Myth : Children and young people can consent to their own exploitation Reality: A child cannot consent to their own abuse.
Identifying Perpetrators • Perpetrators come from all ethnicities but each area can have a ‘profile’ – profiles can change • All communities • All ages • They are both male and female • No one group dominates CSE • Internet/trafficking/personal gratification • They are visible in every day life • They are often articulate/Savvy • Not all are involved in commercial exploitation • (Not much is known about those who buy young people from exploiters and groomers)
Identifying Perpetrators • ‘Its all about money – money is tight…jobs are hard to come by, stealing…well its got more consequences.’ • ‘Young girls are better…they are more vulnerable, they listen to you and they fall for it. Older girls won’t fall for it.’ (Some views expressed during the November 2011 Dispatches programme – Britain's sex gangs.)
CSE in Liverpool Nikki Owens CSE coordinator
How many young people are being/ at risk of sexually exploited in Liverpool? • Who is most at risk? (links with Missing)
Principles of effective practice • The child’s best interests must be the top priority • Participation of children and young people • Enduring relationships and support • Comprehensive problem-profiling • Effective information-sharing within and between agencies • Supervision, support and training of staff • Evaluation and review “If only someone had listened” | Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups – Final Report November 2013
John Rooney Police Missing Person Coordinator
Current Legislation • Child Abduction Act 1984 • Children Act 1989/2004 • Children Leaving Care Act 2000 • Adoption & Children Act 2002 • Education Act 2002 • Homeless Act 2002 • Sexual Offences Act 2003 • Asylum & Immigration Act 2004 • Domestic Violence Crime & Victims Act 2004 • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Sexual Offences Act 2003 A major piece of law reform creating many offences concerning: Rape, sexual assault, child sexual offences, abuse of a position of trust, familial child sexual offences, offences concerning persons with mental disorders, child prostitution and pornography, exposure and voyeurism, offences in a public lavatory, offences outside of the UK.
Some of the Other New Offences • Meeting a child following sexual grooming etc, (section 17) • Sexual activity with a child family member • Indecent photographs of children 16 & 17 years of age • Abuse of a position of trust • Administering a substance with intent • Trafficking into, within and out of the UK
Grooming Offences in relation to grooming will be committed by an adult where all the following elements are present • An adult who is 18 or over, travels to meet or actually meets with a child who is 16 or younger • The adult intends to commit a sexual offence against the child – evidence may be condoms bought, text messages sent etc • The adult has communicated with the child on at least two occasions beforehand • The adult does not reasonably believe that the child is 16 or over
“SEXTING” • When a young person takes an indecent image of them self and sends this to their friends or boy / girlfriends via mobile phones. • By having in their possession, or distributing, indecent images of a person under 18 on to someone else – young people are not even aware that they could be breaking the law as these are offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
What are our young people telling us? Key findings for secondary school age children: Among year 9 pupils sexting awareness, rather than practice, was prevalent Sexting usually took place at the formation of, or during, a relationship. Girls are far more likely than boys to be asked for a picture, boys are far more likely to volunteer one Further distribution of an image beyond the intended recipient occurs frequently Girls “sext” to gain attention, or to please boys. Boys ask for images “because they can” and will ask girls until one sends a picture. Research undertaken by Professor Andy Phippen Plymouth University - Visit to Liverpool Schools 4th-6th June 2013
Differences between Liverpool young people and others spoken to in other parts of the country: A slightly younger starting point for sexting incidents to start occurring. In both secondary schools pupils spoke about this sort of thing beginning in year 7 when they move from primary There was a higher level of maturity and resilience from some girls in dealing with issue around sexting There was a greater awareness of the reasons for sexting There was a larger gender imbalance in terms of a willingness to talk about these issues. Research undertaken by Professor Andy Phippen Plymouth University - Visit to Liverpool Schools 4th-6th June 2013
Bullying often results from the generation and distribution of an image. The duration of the bullying depends on the popularity of the victim (i.e. the more popular the victim, the less likely it is that bullying will last for long) Turning to a teacher or parent for help is unlikely due to a fear of being told off or judged Attitudes toward sexting are somewhat mundane, it happens and will continue to happen For boys of this age, pornography consumption is widespread and they are very open in talking about it Research undertaken by Professor Andy Phippen Plymouth University –Visit to Liverpool Schools 4th-6th June 2013
Social Media – Current Top 3 • Hot or Not • Guess the Body Part • Flash for Cash
What are your experiences of young people and social media? How can we best engage with and support children and young people? Group discussion
Models of Child Sexual Exploitation Street Grooming/peer on peer ‘Boyfriend’ model ‘Party’ model Internet grooming Organised/networked sexual exploitation or trafficking
The Grooming Line Targeting Stage Friendship Forming Stage Loving Relationship Stage Abusive Relationship Stage
Grooming Process Friendship Forming Stage Loving Relationship Stage Targeting Stage Abusive Relationship Stage Observing the young person Selection of young person Befriending – being nice, giving, caring, taking an interest, giving compliments etc. Gaining and developing trust Sharing information about young people between other abusive adults Making young people feel special and spending time with them Giving gifts and rewards Listening and remembering Keeping secrets ‘No-one understands you like I do’; being their best friend Testing out physical contact – accidental touching Offering protection and being there for them Being their boyfriend / girlfriend Establishing a sexual relationship Lowering their inhibitions – eg showing them pornography Engaging them in forbidden activities – eg going to clubs, drinking, taking drugs Being inconsistent – building up hope and then punishing them Becomes an ‘unloving’ sexual relationship Withdrawal of love and friendship Reinforcing dependency on them – stating young person is ‘damaged goods’ Isolation from family and friends Trickery and manipulation – ‘you owe me’ Threatening behaviour Physical violence and sexual assault Making them have sex with other people Giving them drugs Playing on the young person’s feeling of guilt, shame and fear
