What is child sexual exploitation?

Child Sexual Exploitation is where someone is taking advantage of you (or someone you know) sexually for their own benefit. Sexual exploitation can happen to boys and young men as well as girls and young women. It can happen to anyone and people who exploit you can be any age, male or female.

How does it happen?

Sexual exploitation can be hard to recognise because often it feels like that you are in a good relationship with the person – or people – who abuse your trust in them. It could be that you are exploited by a friend, or group of friends, or someone you think of as a boyfriend or girlfriend or it might be a person or a new group of people you’ve only just got to know, either in person or online.

Often people who exploit you are nice to you, your friends and family; they might buy you things, including alcohol or drugs, they might listen to your problems, take you to great places, be there for you, and they might give you a place to stay when you’ re having problems.

Anyone who persuades you to have sex with them or other people, or encourages you to post sexual images of yourself via text or on the internet, in return for the things that they have given you, such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, money, food, accommodation or affection, is sexually exploiting you, even if you don’t always feel like they are.

If what you are being asked or forced to do makes you feel uncomfortable or worried in some way and somehow feels wrong then remember it probably is.

If you are worried for yourself or a friend, please talk to an adult you trust. Remember: if you are in any danger or feel unsafe, get in contact with the police immediately on 999.

If you would like to talk to someone in confidence you can contact:

Childline - You can call them free on 0800 1111 and this number won’ t appear on a telephone bill. Available 24 hours a day.

NWG #SaySomething 24/7, FREE,. ANONYMOUS, CALL OR TXT. 116 000.

BLAST - Supports boys and young men who have been, are being, or are at risk of being sexually exploited.

Tel; 0113 2444209

Text 07808 863662 www.mesmac.co.uk/blast

Services in Wolverhampton

Call the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on: 01902 555392

Base 25 Empower Project Tel: 01902 572040, text 07800 002222