Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse. It can take many different forms. It can include contact or non-contact activities and can take place online or in person, or a combination of each. Any young person can be sexually exploited, regardless of their background or gender identity.

Often young people are groomed into sexually exploitative relationships and may initially think their abuser is their 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'. Some young people are engaged in informal economies that incorporate the exchange of sex for rewards such as drugs, alcohol, money or gifts. Others may have been bullied and threatened into sexual activities by peers or gangs which is then used against them as a form of extortion and to keep them compliant.

A young person may have been sexually exploited before they became looked after; others may become targets of perpetrators when they are living with you. Sexual exploitation is NEVER the young person's fault - even if there is some sort of exchange - all children under the age of 18 have a right to be safe and protected from harm.

As a supported lodgings provider you are in a good position to notice the changes in behaviour and physical signs which can indicate involvement in sexual exploitation. To keep young people safe and prevent serious harm it is important to try and identify young people at risk of harm from sexual exploitation at the earliest opportunity.

Looked after young people can be more vulnerable to exploitation. The individual needs and particular characteristics of the young person such as ethnicity, culture, gender identity and sexuality, are particularly significant where child sexual exploitation is present. A risk assessment should be in place and consider all of these factors, how these risks work together and what can be put in place to protect the young person.

It can be difficult for young people to tell their providers that they are being sexually exploited; initially they may not recognise that they are being abused. Once they are being sexually exploited, threats from their abusers or feeling that may be in some way to blame for their own abuse can make it difficult for young people to ask for help.

The key signs that a young person is being sexually exploited are:

• Unexplained money or gifts;
• Going missing (for short and long periods), or during the course of the day;
• Being distressed or withdrawn on their return home;
• Secrecy around new friends;
• Having additional mobile phones, or worrying use of the internet;
• Sexual health problems, including pregnancy;
• Changes in behaviour / emotional wellbeing;
• Drug or alcohol misuse;
• Secretive behaviour;
• Involvement in criminal activity;
• Unexplained physical injuries.

When concerns about sexual exploitation have been identified before the young person comes to live with you, their Placement Plan should contain details of the day-to-day arrangements which have been agreed between you as supported lodgings hosts and the accommodating authority/Service to keep the young person safe.

If you have concerns that a young person is being sexually exploited or is at risk of being exploited, you should always share these with the young person's allocated social worker and your supervising worker or a manager from the Service so that action can be taken to help safeguard the young person. Sexual exploitation of a young person who is living with you is considered a 'significant event' and must be reported to Ofsted by the Service.

Remember if you have concerns that a young person is in immediate danger, always ring 999.

A significant number of young people who are being sexually exploited may go missing from your home, or their education or training provider. Some go missing frequently, and the more often they go missing, they more vulnerable they are to being sexually exploited.

If a young person living with you goes missing, you should follow the guidance contained in Missing Young People Procedure.

The supported lodgings Service should provide you with good quality training so that you know how to prevent, recognise and support a young person who is being sexual exploited. As a supported lodgings providers you should receive effective support from all partner agencies (Children’s Social Care, education and the police) to try and disrupt the abuse as well as ensuring the young person is supported and not criminalised. See Training and Development Procedure.