A spotlight on Sexual Exploitation
Sexual Exploitation is a difficult and complex issue that impacts millions of people across the world. Many people only have a basic understanding of what it can entail so we thought we should share a spotlight on the subject.
So, what is sexual exploitation?
Sexual exploitation is the act of taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability or trust for sexual gain.
It can include:
Rape
Prostitution
Sexual Photography
Pornography
Sexual Assault
Witnessing Sexual Acts
Human Trafficking.
Sexual exploitation affects a wide range of individuals and communities, and perpetrators often take advantage of the victims vulnerable and dependent state such as when they are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, or they lack the mental capacity to consent.
In this white paper we will explore some of the important aspects of sexual exploitation, who it effects, signs to look out for, and any cases we can learn from.
Who can sexual exploitation affect?
Sexual exploitation can affect individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.
Victims often face severe emotional, psychological and physical harm that can leave long lasting trauma. Some individuals are more vulnerable to being targeted than others.
Children or young adults are particularly vulnerable to being targeted for a number of reasons as they are still developing their emotional, cognitive and social skills, meaning they may not be able to recognise when they’re being exploited or understand when they need to seek help. They also will often be more trusting of adults, seeing them as authority figures or wanting to please them. This often makes it easier for predators to manipulate or coerce them. Perpetrators will often groom the child, by giving them gifts, money, affection and more, before tricking them into a sexual activity.
Children and young adults who are in vulnerable situations at home such as being neglected or living in marginalised or disadvantaged communities, may be targeted due to their circumstances.
Sexual exploitation is not only limited to children and young people, but adults can also be targeted. Perpetrator’s will often prey on those who are in vulnerable situations. This could be those who are homeless, children who are isolated or neglected, fleeing from hardship or a place of war, using drugs or alcohol or those who lack the mental capacity to consent to sexual activity.
The online world allows for many opportunities for CSE and it is important to understand this context in terms of online grooming, relationship building and sharing of images and videos online. It can take place anywhere such as gaming chat rooms and any form of social media.
Signs and Symptoms
Sexual exploitation includes various forms of sexual abuse and exploitation meaning that each type can present differently. However, here are some signs to look out for, if you suspect a service user, friend or a loved one is being exploited.
Signs to look out for in adults:
Unexplained injuries, bite marks, bruising, sexually transmitted infections, or urinary tract infections
Increased fear, anxiety or anger, poor mental health, self-harm, or expressions of despair
Bruising, injury or sexually transmitted diseases
Displaying significant changes in emotional wellbeing
Being increasingly secretive
Cutting off ties with friends and family
Unexpected or unexplained changes in behaviour
Sudden withdrawal from social activities
Deterioration in physical appearance, weight gain/loss or new clothes
Misuse of drugs, alcohol, or starting or increasing drug or alcohol
Changes in Relationships – Relationships with controlling individuals or isolating themselves
Changes in behaviour, such as becoming withdrawn, or isolated.
Signs to look out for in Children and young people:
Displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour for their age
Being fearful of certain people and/or situations
Displaying significant changes in emotional wellbeing
Being isolated from peers/usual social networks
Being involved with gangs and/or gang fights
Having money or new things (such as clothes or a mobile phone) that they can't explain
Being involved in petty crime such as shoplifting
Spending time with older individuals or groups
Going missing from home or care
Being increasingly secretive
Persistently returning home late
Spending a lot of time at hotels or places of concern
Missing school and/or falling behind with school work
Returning home under the influence of drugs/alcohol
Displaying significant changes in emotional wellbeing
Calling an older person their ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend’
Sudden urgency to go on contraception
Pregnancy.
These are just some of the ways sexual exploitation can present itself, however each individual is different and may not present all of the signs listed above.
What to do and who to tell?
Ensuring you understand what to do if a child or adult in need confides in you about sexual exploitation is important.
It is important that you:
Listen carefully to what they’re saying
See what immediate help they need – such as medical attention
Tell them it’s not their fault
Let them know you are there for them and they have done the right thing by telling you
Let them know you are taking it seriously
Do not confront the alleged abuser
Explain what the next steps are
Report what the child has told you as soon as possible.
It is important that you make them feel safe to talk to you about what has been happening, and that they know you will help them get help.
To Report Child Sexual Exploitation, you can:
Call 999 if they are at immediate risk or call 101 if you think a crime has been committed.
You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111 or go online
Or you can call the NSPCC helpline on 08088005000 – they are dedicated child protection specialists, who will be able to advise you and take any necessary action
To report online CSE please contact CEOP.
You can also:
Report your concerns to the Adult or Child Protection Service at your local Health and Social Care Local Authority.
Contact the person's GP or social worker.
Case Spotlight
There are many cases of sexual exploitation in both children and adults here is just one example of many.
Rochdale CSE:
In May 2012, 9 men were convicted of sex trafficking and other offences, including rape, trafficking girls for sex and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.
The men targeted white British girls between the ages of 13 and 16, who often came from vulnerable backgrounds, such as broken homes or care facilities. The men gifted them with alcohol, drugs, takeaway and other gifts, grooming and manipulating them into trusting them only to abuse and use them for sexual exploitation and trafficking.
The girls were often taken to various locations, including "takeaway" businesses, and sexually exploited by multiple men at a time.
It was confirmed that there were at least 47 girls identified as victims, however, the specific trial that gained national attention focused on the abuse of five main victims, who testified in court. It is suspected that there were many more girls exploited by this gang, but they did not come forward, or their cases were not pursued in this particular trial.
The victims who had reported the abuse to authorities several times, were initially ignored or dismissed due to misconceptions and institutional failings.
According to a 2024 review Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Rochdale Council failed to protect children from sexual abuse in Rochdale between 2003 and 2012. This review also found that many of the abusers have not been apprehended.
The review found that the police and authorities failed in a number of ways:
Under-resourcing
Victim Blaming
Poor handling of victims
Police operations were under-resourced and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) was a low priority
Authorities made assumptions that the victims were actively taking part and choosing to engage
GMP left victims to be harassed and intimidated by their abusers
Failure to investigate and respond appropriately
Failed to record evidence including from a child victim, known as Amber, who gave "significant evidence"
Police were aware that a Crisis Intervention Team shared information with social care but didn’t act on it.
For more information visit:
This case and many others like it show us the importance of understanding what sexual exploitation is and the significance of noticing and acting on the signs.
If you have any concerns about the issues raised in the white paper or need any help or advice, please get in touch. Our team offer full support and training around sexual exploitation and are able to support and train employers and employees.
Our training courses can be found here
Support and resources: