Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Regardless of the nature of the sexual exploitation, the child is always being victimised and the abuser has a power over them which is causing them sexual harm.

 

This power may result from a difference in age; the perpetrator is often much older than the young person, with money, status and intellect. Involvement in exploitative relationships is characterised by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social, economic or emotional vulnerability.

 

Most sexual abusers act in isolation, but some groups of abusers act together. These people range from extended family networks to sophisticated national or international paedophile rings. These groups often use younger men or other young women to procure children for them. Offenders operating alone often involve boyfriend exploitation, where the young person believes they are in a relationship with the other person.

 

It’s important to remember that child sexual exploitation takes place everywhere and not just in big cities.