Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and grooming are both terms that have been prevalent in the news and media recently and as parents you can be left with lots of questions, concerns and even feelings of confusion about what they mean and how you and school can protect your children.
The NSPCC provide a useful definition to assist parents understanding:
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status.
Children or young people may be tricked into believing they’re in a loving, consensual relationship. They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol. They may also be groomed online.
Some children and young people are trafficked into or within the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation can also happen to young people in gangs.
The Listen to my Story campaign has been developed by Merseyside Police, local councils and third sector agencies throughout the Merseyside area to raise awareness of CSE in our communities and to educate young people, parents/carers, teachers, health professionals and service industry workers as to the signs and vulnerabilities of CSE.
For more information about ‘Listen to my Story’, please visit www.listentomystory.co.uk.
