How councils can tackle child sexual exploitation

As reported instances jump 22%, local authorities have a big task – from ensuring a collaborative system operates so signs of abuse are spotted to providing ‘safe houses’ and counselling

Reports of children being sexual exploited are increasing in the UK, according to Barnardo’s. While the charity acknowledges that it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of the problem, as it is a largely hidden crime, the number of children and young people using Barnardo’s 24 child sexual exploitation services increased by 22% in 2011-12 to 1,452.

With more and more children being sexually exploited – a crime, which, according to Barnardo’s can range from seemingly “consensual” relationships or informal exchanges of sex for accommodation or gifts through to serious organised crime – what is the best way for councils to tackle the problem?

According to Lindsay Edwards, Hertfordshire county council’s young people services manager, a multi-agency approach is vital. The work of the local authority’s sexual exploitation and runaway children (Search) panel, formerly known as the Multi-Agency Missing Children Action Group, was highlighted in an Ofsted report on missing children published this year.

Any child who has been missing for an extended period, or on numerous occasions, is referred to the panel, which includes representatives from the police, children’s services, education, health and mental health services. The panel draws up an action plan aimed at reducing the incidents of the child going missing. An evaluation of the panel’s work showed that in 43% of the cases it dealt with in 2011-12, there were no further instances of the child or young person going missing.

Edwards says: “It can be challenging for frontline workers regarding the difference between highly sexualised behaviour and sexual exploitation – we run awareness-raising session for health services, school nurses, police and children’s centre staff.” The training sessions, which are run in partnership with training provider JustWhistle, raise awareness of potential indicators of possible sexual exploitation.

“The key messages are ‘Listen to young people and don’t make judgments or assumptions,'” Edwards says. “Young people may not recognise they are being exploited. Look for signs such as a young person having more money than usual or more mobile phones.”

Another element of Hertfordshire’s strategy is a training programme – called How To Thrive – which aims to teach children and young people skills that will give them the confidence and resilience to extricate themselves from tricky situations. “This is delivered to young people through schools and is based on a positive psychology model,” Edwards says. “We also run sessions on this for other councils.”

Derby city council child protection manager Mandy McDonald says that while a multi-agency approach is important, it is also vital that the victim is not overwhelmed by the involvement of a range of professionals from different agencies.

“There should be a dedicated person, not several people,” she says. “Allow them [the victim] to identify the support they need – a lot of young people don’t recognise they are being exploited.”

McDonald adds that, when a child reveals he or she is being exploited, the disclosure must be protected. This approach is more likely to ensure attempts at prosecution are successful as it will reduce the risk of having “reluctant witnesses”, McDonald says. In December 2010, an investigation by Derbyshire police led to the conviction of nine men for offences relating to the sexual abuse of 26 girls. Derbyshire council credited the police and other agencies involved in the investigations for gaining the trust of the girls to the extent that the victims were prepared to disclose sufficient information to facilitate a successful prosecution.

Jenny Whittle, Kent county council cabinet member for specialist children’s services, says Kent Safeguarding Children Board is circulating a toolkit to staff to raise awareness of particular exploitation issues. The toolkit lists potential indicators, such as a child having a “story very similar to those given by others, perhaps hinting they have been coached”, or exhibiting self-assurance, maturity and self-confidence not expected in a child of such an age.

Whittle says the council is using the toolkit to raise awareness of the fact that “child sexual exploitation is often very organised and used by criminal gangs as a way of ‘paying’ others for favours through the offering of young girls”. She adds: “In that regard, it’s not the same as paedophilia or other forms of child sexual abuse.”

Whittle says that removing a child from a dangerous situation and putting them in care is not enough. “It is vital that young people feel we understand the complex nature of the position they are in and will respond sensitively and at their own pace,” she adds. Whittle says that councils must also provide victims with “safe houses” and access to therapy and counselling.

Michelle Lee Izu, Barnardo’s regional director for the south-east, who leads for the charity on child sexual exploitation, says that local communities also have a responsibility for protecting children from sexual exploitation. “A collaborative approach is vital to spotting the tell-tale signs of abuse,” she says. “The challenge to local authorities is to seize every chance to engage all the relevant services and develop a coherent strategic response. If we’re going to give sexually exploited children effective support, we need to understand all the risks they face.”