The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues crackdown on child sexual exploitation
As part of the Police’s ongoing ‘Make Safe’ campaign, local neighbourhood officers have been busy delivering a suite of training packages to the night-time economy educating them on what to look out for that may indicate a child is at risk.
The activity is now expanding to County Down.
On Thursday 21st July, local neighbourhood policing teams, alongside officers from the dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Team will be out on the streets of Newcastle and Downpatrick speaking to local businesses and members of the public, educating them on what to look out for that may indicate a child is at risk of CSE.
Any child can be exploited or abused, no matter their background, culture, ethnicity or religion, whether they are a boy or girl.
There are lots of signs to look for:
· Adults befriending young people
· Adults who have been noted visiting with different young people
· Adults accompanying young people and acting in an intimate way with them
· Adults who are accompanying young people who look to be confused or distressed
· Adults buying alcoholic drinks for someone expected to be under 18
· Picking young people up in your taxi and dropping them at a local hotel at odd times of the day/night
· Adult guests requesting a room that is isolated
· Adult guests accessing pornography in a room where you think a child may be present
CSE can be present in hotels, pubs and other places licensed to sell alcohol and that taxis are used to transport young people who are then exploited. Therefore, it is vital that training and awareness raising is in place to teach people on how to spot the signs and give them the confidence to report to Police if they feel something is not right.
This activity will continue across all other Districts in Northern Ireland over the next year.
Detective Inspector Judith Hamill, who will be leading this operation said: “Officers in our Child Sexual Exploitation team have been working in partnership for some time with the local hotel and entertainment industry, to ensure licensed premises and hoteliers are both aware of and proactive in tackling CSE.
“The ambition is for every business within these sectors to be able to confidently identify a person who may be at risk and raise the alarm with officers to stop any young person coming to harm.
“Our bespoke training packages are used to train staff to spot any potential indicators of exploitation, to be on the lookout for warning signs, and if necessary know how to alert police to intervene to save a vulnerable chid.
“We have a team of dedicated detectives who will robustly investigate reports and who remain determined to bring all those who exploit children to justice. We will do everything we can to stop the abuse and exploitation of children – but we need help from our communities in order to protect those at risk.
“Perpetrators of these crimes are incredibly manipulating and children often don’t even realise they are being exploited, which is why they can’t raise the alarm to Police themselves.
“Abuse is often hidden in plain sight, but the signs are there. If you feel something is not right, please let us know – you will not be wasting our time.”
For further information see the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s: website.
If you’re concerned about a child’s welfare and think they may be being exploited, please report it to Police online, via 101 or 999 in an emergency.
You can also contact independent the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via:
Background to CSE
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.
The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.
Children are referred to the CSE Team through a variety of sources both internally and externally. These children are then jointly assessed with Police CSE Detectives and Social Services under a CSE framework protocol during which all the available information is taken into consideration and a joint decision it taken as to whether the child is at risk of CSE or not.
