The following situations do not necessarily mean that CSE is taking place, but they may be important warning signals, so if you are concerned then the situation should be closely monitored and any suspicions reported:
A young person with older adults
Drinks, food, cigarettes bought for a young person by an adult
A young person dressed to appear older/excessive make up
Adults buying gifts for a young person such a jewellery or phones
Overly sexualised language or behaviour
Strange behaviour from adults and children who are travelling together
Adults taking young people to hotels at bizarre times of day and night
A young person being placed into your car who is potentially under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Adults appear to have control over young person
Young person is withdrawn and appears afraid of authority figures
If you are concerned or suspicious of your customers’ behaviour and routines, note descriptions of persons/clothing/vehicles and report to the police
How might this impact on your business?
In addition to having a serious impact on the welfare and safety of children, sexual exploitation is a crime and if it happens at, or is associated with, your business it may cause serious financial and reputational damage.
Other useful resources
For more information about child sexual exploitation visit the following organisation’s websites. There are many other organisations that provide help, support and further information:
Barnardo’s NHS APP College of Policing CEOP Catch 22 Sefton LSCB Knowsley SCB NSPCC NWG Network Wirral SCB Stop CSE Liverpool SCB PACE St Helens SCB
What you can do to protect children and your business?
It may help to protect your business if you can demonstrate that all reasonable steps have been taken to manage risk.
Here are some suggested safeguarding measures to help evidence the ‘due diligence’ defence which can protect your business and keep children safe:
Undertake a written children and young people’s risk assessment and use it to inform your operating policy and staff training
Staff should be trained to recognise indicators of child sexual exploitation and know how to report concerns
Staff training records should be maintained, including induction and refresher sessions.
Records should be signed by the trainer and trainee and dated.
Activity at the premises should be monitored (for example using CCTV or by regular patrols. Patrol records should be maintained.)
Suspicious activity should be reported to the police (including details such as vehicle registration numbers, description of individuals) and should be recorded in your incident log.
Staff should adhere to a Code of Conduct to promote good safeguarding practice
Employment records should be maintained for all of your staff including photographic identification, national insurance number, proof of permission to work in the UK, references.
You can help disrupt and stop abuse by:
- Making your staff aware of and how to recognise the signs of CSE and let them know who to report any suspicions they may have.
- Monitor activity at your premises – for example are children coming in with adults they don’t seem to be related too?
- Display Listen to my Story campaign materials
- Report any suspicious activity to the police – including descriptions and licence plate numbers. Keep an incident log of this activity
Other useful resources
For more information about child sexual exploitation visit the following organisation’s websites. There are many other organisations that provide help, support and further information:
Barnardo’s NHS APP College of Policing CEOP Catch 22 Sefton LSCB Knowsley SCB NSPCC NWG Network Wirral SCB Stop CSE Liverpool SCB PACE St Helens SCB
Other
Organisations
Organisations
To report CSE call Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency dial 999.
To report CSE call Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency dial 999.