Support services for child sexual exploitation

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual violence in which children are sexually exploited in return for money, goods (like cigarettes, alcohol, mobiles or trainers etc.), power or status.

Those exploiting young people have power over them because of their age, status, physical strength and/or resources.

Some young people are trafficked into or around the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Child sexual exploitation is child abuse.

Child sexual exploitation is a hidden crime. Young people often trust their abuser and don't understand that they're being abused. They may depend on their abuser or be too scared to tell anyone what's happening.

It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults, including oral and anal rape. In some cases, young people are persuaded or forced into exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts, affection or status. Child sexual exploitation doesn't always involve physical contact and can happen online.

Can a young person be a ‘child prostitute’?

No, a young person under the age of 18 can never be a prostitute. It should always be seen as sexual exploitation and they should be seen as victims, regardless of whether they feel that they have decided to exchange sex for goods, money, status or power.

Any concerns about a young person should be immediately referred to children’s social care on

Tel: 020 7364 5606

Change page

What warning signs are there that a young person is being exploited?

The London Safeguarding Children’s Board have developed a handy mnemonic to help people to recognise warning signs of CSE - SAFEGUARD

Sexual health and behaviour concerns

Absent from school or repeatedly running away

Familial abuse and/or problems at home

Emotional and physical condition

Gangs, older groups and involvement in crime

Use of technology and sexual bullying

Alcohol and drug misuse

Receipt of unexplained money or goods

Distrust of authority figures

Support services

Helpful organisations
Organisation	Support	Contact
LBTH MAST (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Team)	The multi-disciplinary ‘front door’ to Children’s Social Care and can be contacted if you have concerns that a child/young person is being sexually exploited.	Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Tel: 020 7364 5601 or 020 7364 5606 Out of hours Tel: 020 7364 4079
Safer London	The Empower Programme provides young women with both practical and emotional advocacy support for around 6 months, following a holistic, trauma informed model of working. During this time, they work with young women to identify the areas that they would like support in, typically exploring topics such as: safety planning, healthy relationships, consent, their experiences of abuse, risks/consequences of gangs, self-esteem and goals and motivation.	Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Tel: 020 7021 0301 Support for under 25 Tel: 0808 8084 994 3pm to 12am everyday Email: info@saferlondon.org.uk
NSPCC	Protect & Respect Works with children age 11 to 19 who are experiencing/ at risk of child sexual exploitation. A free service that offers 1-1 support for young people & parents/ carers.Group work programmes in schools and other settings. Training/ consultations for professionals. In Ctrl A group work programme for children age 9 to 13 that aims to prevent online child sexual abuseAdvice and guidance to parents/carers on online safety, managing screen time and routines during COVID-19, as well as supporting children emotionally	For safeguarding training, resources and consultancy Tel: 0116 234 7246 Help for children and young people Tel: 0800 1111 Help for adults concerned about a child Tel: 0808 8005 000
The Children’s Society’s	Runs local services, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn. They deliver a range of pan-London services to young women and men at risk of or who have experienced CSE and trafficking or who may be missing. They also provide advocacy & emotional wellbeing services as well as providing support for refugee & migrant young people.	Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Tel: 0300 303 7000 Email: supportercare@childrenssociety.org.uk or londonandeast@childrenssociety.org.uk
London Black Women’s Project (LBWP)	A domestic violence organisation committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls. LBWP provides women-only outcomes-focused services in safe and confidential space through a number of projects to BMER women and girls aged 12+ across East London and Haringey. They can provide: One-to-one therapeutic support and/or key working for survivors of all forms of VAWG Counselling for women and girls of all age groups Emergency accommodation and housing support services in refuges across Newham and Haringey with 50 bed spaces A specialist VAWG service aimed at older women at risk or suffering abuse through individual support and support groups Community based advocacy for women and girls designed to build women and girls’ capacity and resources Information and advice around domestic and sexual violence, housing/ homelessness, human rights and welfare and immigration.	Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm Tel: 0208 472 0528 Email: info@lbwp.online
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)	Offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.	Monday to Thursday, 10am to 9pm Friday, 10am to 6pm Tel: 0808 801 0331 Email: support@napac.org.uk
Abianda	1:1 support for young people exploited from London Specialist support for young women Help manage risk and safeguarding Support to move away from criminal exploitation Family support Help build network analysis through pan London intel gathering An out of hour’s phone number for professionals operated by St Giles Trust	Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Tel: 020 7686 0520 Email: Contacthello@abianda.com

o Change page

VAWG service directory

You can find lots of other useful services on the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) service directory homepage.