Join the dots to identify the most vulnerable children says Barnardo’s

Vulnerable children are going unnoticed by professionals – as they fail to identify the tell-tale signs of those being groomed for child sexual exploitation says children’s charity Barnardo’s.

GPs, teachers, youth workers and the police need to be made more aware of the risk indicators of these vulnerable children, and be better equipped at spotting those at greatest risk of sexual exploitation.

Key risk indicators include:

• disengagement from education; young people who are not in school during the day may be more at risk of sexual exploitation. Children who are becoming involved in this activity may begin to skip school or become disruptive
• risky behaviours; including secretive use of mobile phones and the internet
• unexplained gifts; children who appear to have new clothes, jewellery, mobile phones or money that cannot ‘plausibly’ be accounted for
• peers and friends; involved in sexual exploitation and with ‘older’ boyfriends/girlfriends
• drugs/alcohol; drug or alcohol abuse may leave children more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, it is also true to say that ‘abusers’ may use drugs and alcohol to help control children
• sexual health issues; a history of unprotected sex leading to STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infection) or inappropriate sexual behaviour. 

The earlier that sexual exploitation, or likelihood of it, can be identified, the more opportunities there are to prevent or minimise the harm suffered by vulnerable children.

Barnardo’s is calling for:

• specialist training for professionals working with children in England – to help to them recognise and respond directly to the early signs of child sexual exploitation
• better co-ordination and information sharing between social services, health, education, specialist services and the police – to ensure the dots are joined in protecting those children at risk.

Barnardo’s provides education and training on a local level via Prevention Education Program (PEP) sessions for both young people in schools, pupil referral and residential units, and for social workers, youth workers and teachers across the UK. A four year partnership scheme between London Councils and Barnardo’s is currently being rolled out to ensure that children and their teachers in secondary schools are made aware of the dangers of exploitative relationships. However, this type of provision is not yet universal.

Wendy Shepherd, Children’s Service Manager at Barnardo’s SECOS project, said ‘If we can identify these children we can significantly reduce the number of children being exposed to these horrific risks. Taken alone, the indicators are not necessarily proof of exploitation, but alarm bells should ring, especially if there are a number of indicators.’

Martin Narey, Barnardo’s Chief Executive, said: ‘The sexual exploitation of children by adults is a hidden obscenity. There is an understandable tendency to believe this happens very rarely. In fact it’s everywhere, in every town and city in the UK and professionals involved with children need to know the tell tale signs. The earlier abuse is identified, the earlier we can stop it.’

Barnardo’s is highlighting the issues of child sexual exploitation in their current TV advertisement campaign. Support Barnardo’s with a donation from your pay.