Say something if you see something on National CSE Awareness Day
Sunday, 18 March 2018
Today (Monday) is National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day and we are joining organisations across Bedfordshire, urging people to say something if they see something and help combat child sexu
CSE is a type of sexual abuse which sees a child taken advantage of and sexually abused. They will receive something (i.e. gifts, alcohol, or even love) in exchange for performing sexual activities either on the person exploiting them or someone else.
National Child Sexual Exploitation Day aims to raise awareness of the issue, and the police and local authorities are encouraging people to learn how to spot the signs of CSE – as well as to speak out if they suspect something.
Today the Pan Bedfordshire Local Safeguarding Children Board is holding a CSE seminar focusing on the fact that it happens to boys too and on Thursday a number of hoteliers from across Bedfordshire will be attending a training conference to learn about the signs of CSE.
Sue Harrison, our Director of Children’s Services, said: "We understand the difficulty in speaking out about CSE and we want to reach out to anyone who may be a victim to let them know there is support available."
Detective Superintendent John Murphy, Head of the Bedfordshire Police Public Protection Unit, said: "Tackling child sexual exploitation is an absolutely crucial priority for us and we’re committed to working alongside our partners to bring those responsible to justice while providing support for victims."
Lisa Robinson, CSE and Missing Coordinator in Bedfordshire, said: "The National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding CSE. Within Bedfordshire, we encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse. CSE is child abuse and we need to continue working together to safeguard children."
Signs that a child is being sexually exploited include behavioural changes, alcohol and/or drug misuse, self-harm, being absent from school, going missing regularly, acting secretively, and receiving unexplained gifts or money – to name just a few.
There are a number of organisations that you can report your concern to who can also provide further advice; and by speaking out you could be helping to protect more children from suffering this terrible abuse.
If you’d like to report suspicions around CSE please contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.