Child protection procedures must be followed if anyone suspects that a young person is a victim, or is at risk of becoming a victim.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced a range of offences, including grooming and statutory rape of children under 13, which can be brought against perpetrators in CSE cases. 

Conviction rates for child sexual exploitation are low and prosecutions can often re-traumatise victims, so the police must build a strong case against perpetrators to ensure prosecutions are secured. Without this, children and young people will continue to suffer abuse and violence, and lack confidence that agencies can protect them.

The police must work with Crown Prosecution Service solicitors who have an understanding of the issues in order to assess evidence from victims often perceived as unreliable witnesses. 

Multi-agency support needs to be available to help victims and their families during court appearances (CEOP, 2011) and social care practitioners are in the best position to support young people through these processes.