Child Sexual Exploitation Screening Tool

The purpose of this screening tool is to enable professionals or parents/natural supports to assess a child’s level of risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in a quick and consistent manner. The tool can be applied to all children (male and female) under the age of 18 years. This tool is to be used by anyone who has a concern that a child may be being sexually exploited. The screening includes three categories of risk and is intended to inform appropriate responses in relation to young people’s safeguarding needs. Some youth may feel they are not being exploited, and that they have chosen to exchange sexual acts for resources. But child sexual exploitation is never a choice or consensual or considered prostitution; it is a form of sexual abuse.

There are a number of important points to remember when assessing for risk of CSE:

  • CSE is professional terminology and should not be used immediately with young people; they do not relate to that language.
  • Both girls and boys can be victims of child sexual exploitation and can be equally vulnerable.
  • The exploiter is usually an adult, but can be other young people (peer on peer abuse/exploitation) and of either gender.
  • Research tells us that the common age for CSE is between 12 and 15 years, however it can happen at any age and there are concerns that the age of victims is lowering due to internet use.
  • If you are concerned, do not ask a child directly if they are involved in exploitation or prostitution. Instead focus on building a positive trusting relationship and approach questions sensitively and with “respectful curiosity.”

Please note the list of risk indicators provided in this tool is not exhaustive, these indicators and vulnerability factors are simply the most common indicators of CSE. This tool was customized for a Canadian lay person to complete, from a number of international evidence-informed CSE risk assessment tools.

Description / Recommended Actions
Low Risk
A child is low risk if vulnerability factors have been identified but no risk factors. This child could be at risk for CSE. /
  • Continued monitoring recommended.
  • Re-screen immediately if any future incidents occur
  • Document all concerns for future use

Medium Risk
If a child presents with both vulnerability factors and a number of risk factors, the likelihood of involvement in CSE is significant. /
  • Immediate intervention recommended
  • Refer to Voluntary Services for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
  • Possible referral to the Hera school program
  • Other services such as a specialized group home and treatment program for sexually exploited youth are available if conditions apply
  • Document all concerns that may be helpful if apprehension is needed

Significant Risk
When a child presents with significant risk factors, they have become entrenched in CSE whether or not they recognize and/or admits/denies their situation. /
  • Immediate intervention recommended
  • Refer to Voluntary Services for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
  • Other services such as a specialized group home and treatment program for sexually exploited youth are available if conditions apply

Vulnerability Factors

Although all children can be at risk of CSE, some young people are at higher risk due to certain individual, societal, and environmental factors. The presence of these factors does not necessarily mean a child is being exploited but indicates that the child is vulnerable to being targeted, recruited, groomed, and exploited. The list below are the factors that have been most commonly linked to children who have been exploited. Check each vulnerability factor that applies to the young person you are assessing:

Vulnerability Factors
  1. Unsuitable/inappropriate accommodation, couch surfing, shelters, homelessness

  1. Low self-esteem

  1. Disconnection from friends/family

  1. Unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose sexual orientation to their friends/family

  1. Learning disabilities/special needs or mental health issues

  1. History of living in residential care

  1. Involvement in youth justice system

  1. Family conflict/breakdown, lack of love/security, death, loss, illness of a significant person in child’s life

  1. History of Child Welfare involvement

  1. Family history of domestic abuse and/or substance misuse and/or mental health difficulties

Total number of vulnerability factors / /10

RISK INDICATORS

Risk indicators are specific behaviours that have been linked to exploitation. Some indicators are directly linked to CSE such as sexualized behaviour and dating someone much older. Other indicators are symptoms of being involved in an exploited lifestyle such as lack of sleep, staying out late and having increased anxiety. Still others are symptoms of physical and mental trauma as self-harming and using drugs and alcohol to cope. All of the behaviours below have been linked to children who have been exploited and are good indicators that a child is being groomed or exploited. Check each risk indicator that applies for the young person you are assessing:

Risk Indicators
  1. Staying out late with whereabouts unclear or unknown

  1. Truancy and/or disengagement in school, decrease in academic performance

  1. Increasingly disruptive, hostile or physically aggressive at home or school including use of sexualized behaviour

  1. Has a much older boyfriend or girlfriend (5+ years)

  1. Physical injuries without plausible explanation

  1. Sexually transmitted infections/pregnancies/termination of pregnancies

  1. Increasing use/misuse of drugs and or alcohol

  1. Often fatigued/sleeping problems, nightmares

  1. Self-harming/suicide attempts/eating disorders

  1. Change in appearance: weight gain/loss, hygiene, new clothes, makeup, oversexualized dressing

  1. Use of a cell phone which causes concern – including sexting, use of dating apps/sites, on-line gaming and chat rooms

  1. Has more than one cell phone without plausible explanation

  1. Has high levels of anxiety if not reachable by cell phone

  1. Multiple callers (unknown adults/young people)

  1. Unsafe, excessive or secretive use of internet

  1. Has been sexually assaulted

  1. Risky/inappropriate sexual behaviour

  1. Being bullied by peers about sexual behaviour

  1. Lack of awareness/understanding of being safe

  1. Being accompanied to appointments by an unknown person that causes concern

  1. Gang association either through relatives, peers, or intimate relationships

Total number of risk indicators / /21

Significant Risk Indicators

Significant risk factors are those behaivours and signs that indicate a young person is entrenched in sexual exploitation whether or not they are aware of being exploited and/or admits or denies their situation.The following list is some of the most common signs of a child being exploited. Please check all indicators that apply to the young person you are assessing:

Significant Risk Indicators / Current or during the past 6 months / Prior to 6 months ago
  1. Periods of going missing overnight or longer

  1. Relationship of concern with a controlling adult which might involve physical and/or emotional abuse

  1. Entering/leaving vehicles driven by unknown adults (not car theft)

  1. Unexplained amounts of money, expensive clothes or other items

  1. Frequenting areas known for risky activities

  1. Groomed/abused via the Internet and mobile technology

  1. Having unexplained contact with hotels, taxi companies or fast food outlets (takeaway drivers)

  1. Having unexplained tattoos (i.e. name of pimp), markings or branding (i.e. of gang logos)

  1. Disclosure of sexual/physical assault followed by withdrawal of allegation

  1. Associating with peers involved in sexual exploitation

  1. Disclosure of participating in sexual exploitation

Total number of significant risk indicators / /11 / /11

SCORING

There is no specific scoring for this tool. Our staff use the number and type of vulnerability and risk indicators that are checked to determine the most appropriate response and service for the young person you are referring.

Once this survey and the referral formare complete, please call Grimmon House toll-free at

1-866-335-4415and ask to speak to a Program Coordinator.

CSE Screening Tool 1