Safeguarding (Child Sexual Exploitation)

Child Sexual Exploitation

Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a top priority for Wirral Hospitals’ School

High profile cases in places such as Rochdale, Oxfordshire and Rotherham have highlighted the need for multi-agency partners and police forces to work together and be vigilant; be aware of CSE signs and identify children and young people who are at risk.

As such Wirral Hospitals’ School, in partnership with Merseyside Police have launched Listen to My Story . The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness of CSE and to reduce harm to children and young people who are being sexually exploited, but who do not believe they are being sexually exploited.

CSE is child abuse and children and young people who become involved face high risks to their physical, emotional and psychological health and well-being.

Safeguarding vulnerable child and young people is the responsibility of all public agencies.

Why are child and young people vulnerable?
The common issues and reasons can be due to a number of factors including a young person’s low self-esteem and a poor self-image.

Young people who run away from home are recognised as being more at risk of being targeted as a victim of sexual exploitation.

Vulnerabilities are identified and targeted by the abuser, whether the young person is living with their family, looked after, away from home or they have run away.

Sexual exploitation can be linked to other issues in a child or young person’s life and authorities may only have limited opportunities to gain their trust. Therefore, it is very important that all staff in Wirral Hospitals’ School are able to recognise the warning signs that a child may be a victim of, or at risk of, sexual exploitation.