Exploitation of children and young people

It is up to us to protect our children. Children are vulnerable to exploitation. Exploitation takes many forms. A close and positive relationship with your child can reduce their vulnerability. Making sure they have high self-esteem and feel good about themselves can stop them falling into abusive relationships.

All children have a right to be safe from harm, wherever they are. If you both understand the risks of the internet you can make sensible and informed choices online. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre delivers a multi-agency service dedicated to tackling the exploitation of children.

Children involved in sexual exploitation can become victims of serious physical and sexual attacks, which can sometimes lead to death. They can easily become addicted to drugs and alcohol and face a high risk of catching Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The emotional and psychological damage can be huge and can lead to self-harm, severe depression and even suicide.

Sexual exploitation

Adults who benefit from child sexual exploitation use many different methods to target children. It can begin with an ‘exciting’ new friendship with an older boyfriend or girlfriend. The child may receive expensive gifts and be given alcohol or drugs. Before long they create a loyal and dependent relationship with the victim. It is against the Law and a form of sexual abuse, which puts the child at risk from physical, emotional and psychological damage.