PROFESSIONALS
If you work in an environment where you come into contact with children/young people then it is your responsibility to ensure they are protected from the risks of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
CSE is where the vulnerable young victim is befriended, their trust gain and then given something for example food, money or drugs in return for sexual activity with the abuser or others.
It is a form of child abuse and it’s against the law.
You can help prevent CSE by:
- Understanding what CSE is
- Learn to recognise the signs and symptoms of CSE abuse
- Incorporate CSE awareness in to PSHE lessons
- Display CSE posters and distribute CSE awareness cards in your school
Useful links
REPORT IT
Familiarise yourself with your organisation’s safeguarding policy and know who your safeguarding lead is.
RAISE AWARENESS
Increase knowledge of CSE within your organisation;
please click here to download supporting materials.
SAFEGUARDING BOARDS
If you need help or guidance with CSE, please contact your local authority Safeguarding Board
‘Safe Skills’ Child Sexual Exploitation School Resource
'Safe Skills' is a new preventative education resource which aims to improve the safety of young people in our community in relation to the risks associated with grooming.
Ariel Trust have developed the resource through a long consultation process working with various agencies, such as NSPCC and Liverpool’s ‘Protect’ team and consulted a variety of teachers to ensure the resource is age appropriate and the lessons support both the teachers and pupil’s needs.
The resource consists of three modules, includes short films and interactive activities which are designed to promote discussion. Module one has been trialled within eight schools so far and the feedback has been really positive. Claire McKinnon, year 6 teacher from St. William of York said, “Our kids loved the resource and it was really relevant to their needs.”
The resource will develop young people’s resilience to protect themselves against these risks by using films and interactive skill based activities about grooming behaviours and controlling relationships. It will be used by schools and other professionals to empower young people. The films focus on identifying opportunities where a young person can take action or ask for support, it will begin to build their communication skills and resilience and help them to develop a network of people they can turn to for support. The resource will present situations in an implicit, non-threatening but thought provoking way.
Through the work we have done with the Protect Team at Liverpool City Council we have been able to work with some young people who have experienced CSE. Through this process we have been able to map out potential real-life scenarios and developing scripts for the short animations that will form the heart of this resource.
The film themes consist of; gaming, gifts, park life, disclosing personal information online, talking about your feelings and the role of a bystander.
The resource will be free to all Merseyside schools
If you like to find out more information about this resource, please contact [email protected]
