Child sexual and criminal exploitation
Hertfordshire child sex exploitation website
The website offers information and advice to young people, parents and professionals about child sexual exploitation, including how to spot the signs of abuse and what to do if you suspect someone is being exploited.
Latest figures from Hertfordshire Constabulary indicate that on average there are 10 new CSE referrals month, which are investigated by the specialist HALO team. Some of the common signs of child sexual exploitation in young people include:
- Going missing for periods of time or regularly coming home late.
- Regularly missing school.
- Appearing with unexplained gifts or new possessions.
- Having older boyfriends or girlfriends.
- Keeping secrets.
- Mood swings or changes in emotional wellbeing.
- Strange, unexpected behaviours.
If you suspect a young person is falling victim to child sexual exploitation - you can report it by calling the police on 101, contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 (to make an anonymous report), or contacting Childline on 0800 1111.
Hertfordshire County Council: Child sex exploitation
Hertfordshire Constabulary: Halo
Halo is Hertfordshire Police's response to tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE). Call 101 and ask for Halo’s CSE Coordinator if you want to discuss how we can help you with CSE awareness or guidance.
Hertfordshire Constabulary: Child sexual exploitation
Specialist Adolescent Service Hertfordshire (SASH)
The service provides support to:
- young people aged 11 to 17 in families at risk of breakdown or on the edge of care
- young people who go missing from home or those that are at risk of, or subject to, child exploitation, including gangs and county lines
- young people in the Youth Justice system to prevent offending and re-offending; and to support victims of youth crime and their communities.
- young people aged 16 to 17 years old who are homeless
To speak to someone in the team, call 0300 123 4043.
Vulnerabilities toolkit
Toolkit to identify the characteristics of children and young people who could be vulnerable to criminal and sexual exploitation / gangs, youth violence.
The purpose of this screening toolkit is to assist DSP/Ls to consider the health, welfare and safety of a child/young person for whom there are concerns that they may be vulnerable to/being targeted for child sexual exploitation (CSE) and/or associated with gangs, youth violence and at risk of exploitation. It should support decision making about the level of risk and appropriate response. It also provides a framework and suggestions for education settings to assist in developing a whole school approach and to consider how preventative education and learning can be embedded into the curriculum.
Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners
This advice is non-statutory, and has been produced to help practitioners, local leaders and decision makers who work with children and families to identify child sexual exploitation and take appropriate action in response. This includes the management, disruption and prosecution of perpetrators.
This advice replaces the 2009 guidance Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation. It should be read alongside Working Together to Safeguard Children (most recent updates available on gov.uk) which continues to provide statutory guidance covering the legislative requirements on services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including in relation to child sexual exploitation.
A child is anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Throughout this advice the terms ‘child’ and ‘children’ are used to refer to all those under the age of 18.
Gov.uk: Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners
Concerning signs - helping you spot risk
The NWG has worked with Community Care to produce an interactive toolkit: Concerning Signs - Helping You Spot Risk is designed to help you spot the signs of sexual exploitation.
Concerning Signs - Helping You Spot Risk
HertsSARC
The Herts SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers free support and practical help to anyone in Hertfordshire who experiencing sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. The team includes specially trained independent sexual violence advisors who will support those who have been assaulted.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs)
The Herts ISVA Service provides client focused, free and confidential practical and emotional support to those that have experienced sexual violence, including children and young people. They navigate a range of different incidents, including cases involving trafficking and exploitation, CSE. They have a child and young people’s ISVA, a specialised male ISVA and domestic abuse team that specifically take on clients that have experienced sexual violence within a domestic setting. The trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisors work independently from organisations such as the police, NHS or any other public service.
Clients can self-refer into the service via the referral form on the website or via their helpline or email at 0300 002 0003 / hertsisva@oneymca.org, or professionals can make a referral on the clients behalf (with the clients consent).
Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines
Guidance for front line professionals on dealing with county lines, part of the government’s approach to ending gang violence and exploitation.
Home Office: Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines