Promotional copy – The bigger picture and new resource to prevent CSE in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent

New campaign launches to tackle child sexual exploitation

A new campaign to tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE) has been launched across Staffordshire and Stoke –on-Trent, and everyone is being asked to take part to help keep children safe.

CSE is a form of child sexual abuse, and can have devastating consequences.

CSE happening across the country, but because it can be difficult to recognise and young people don’t readily tell someone about their concerns, the number of children being sexually exploited could be much higher than records show.

It’s common for young people not to realise they are a victim of exploitation, or to feel that it’s their fault if they do.

Any child of any age can be exploited. It’s not true that there only young girls are abused. It can be any child, of any background of any age because all children can be vulnerable, share information freely over the Internet and don’t understand what a healthy and safe relationship is.

Young people are usually targeted and ‘groomed’ before being sexually abused.

They may be showered with free gifts, money or even thrive on a sense of belonging and think they are in a ‘normal’ and trusting relationship. They may be persuaded to send sexual images.

Then the relationship changes - and they may feel forced to have sex or post or send images of themselves in return, and may feel powerless to say no.

Although partners across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are working together to stamp out CSE, everyone needs to understand what CSE is because there are often warning signsthat a child is being sexually abused.

Children can avoid being sexually exploited if more people share their concerns. All children have a right to be safe. It’s not just up to social services and the Police.

Just by knowing the signs and symptoms of child sexual exploitation, talking to your child and knowing how to get help can go a long way towards protecting them.

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With the help of young people and parents across Staffordshire, a new website is now available to help young people, parents, professionals and businesses understand CSE, spot the signs and know how to report concerns –

Do you have any concerns about a child being sexually exploited? You don’t have to be certain to report it. The reality is that information is usually gathered from a number of different sources, but it could be your information that could be in the missing piece.

CSE is not okay. If you have a feeling that something’s not right, don’t keep your concerns to yourself. Report it. Talk in confidence to specially trained people from our local safeguarding teams.

If a child at immediate risk of harm, call Staffordshire Police on 999.

If you have any concerns, ring First Response on 0800 1313 126 ( if the child lives in Staffordshire) or the Safeguarding and Referral Team on 01782 235100 (if the child lives in Stoke on Trent).

You can also call the Police on 101

Call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000