CSE Flashcards
Define CSE
CSE is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity
(a) In exchange for something they need or want &/or
(b) For the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator
The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity
appears consensual
CSE does not always involve physical contact, it can also occur through the use of technology
Describe the process of CSE
The process of controlling:
Grooming is a process whereby a child is wooed and courted by an older “boyfriend” initially through constant attention and affection, later developing into more coercive and often violent behaviour. A key part of the process is that the victim becomes isolated from friends and family and other important relationships.
Control
The perpetrator now begins to control all aspects of the victim’s life. Where they go, who they see, what they wear etc.
The victim often becomes frightened but, similar to other victims of abuse, may believe that it is their own fault and feels guilty.
The perpetrator may grant small “indulgences,” such as soft drugs and alcohol which aid in reducing resistance.
The perpetrator gradually destroys any ties to the victim’s support network -Relinquishing friends and even rejecting family.
The victim may also be physically isolated - Kept in a room or flat.
Pursuing
Should the victim “escape,” the perpetrator will continue to pursue them via phone, text, internet, in person etc. to manipulate them in an attempt to renew the “relationship.”
The perpetrator will apologise for their behaviour, shower the victim with gifts and attention.
And/or
Use guilt, offers of money (which may be the reason for the victim being involved in CSE in the first place), threats or blackmail (distributing embarrassing images on the net, character assassination via Facebook, word-of-mouth etc.).
Sharing
The perpetrator has created a “willing victim.”
The victim may agree to have sex with other men, often the perpetrator’s “friends.”
Explain the signs and behaviours of victims of CSE.
- Evidence of drug/alcohol use
- Unexplained physical injuries
- Self harming/suicidal thoughts or tendencies
- Displaying inappropriate sexualized behaviour
- Truancy
- Unexplained gifts or new possessions
- Going missing/ regularly returning home late
- Estranged from family
Explain the police role and responsibility in safeguarding.
- Raise awareness – intel logs, daily briefing, sharing with other agencies (schools etc)
- Bring to attention of supervisor
- If appropriate use S46
- Police Powers
- Bring to attention of PVPU CSE referral
- Crime (initial contact to be documented)
- “The more you know the more you see”
State courses of positive action in relation to CSE
- Identification of potential suspects
- PNC & PND checks of potential offenders
- Check the CSE flags on offender & victim
- Initial response to a reported missing child/ young person
- Thorough search of the MISPER’s last know address
- Child protection register checks
- Submission of intelligence logs
- Link all known asscociates & addresses to occurence
- PPN submission
Describe the types of CSE
Inappropriate relationship:
Usually involving one perpetrator who has inappropriate power or control over a young person (physical, emotional or financial). One indicator may be a significant age gap. The young person may believe they re in a loving relationship.
The ‘Fake relationship” Model:
The perpetrator befriends and grooms a young person into a relationship and then coerces or forces them to have sex with friends or associates.
The Organised Network:
Young people (often connected) are passed through networks, possibly over geographical distances, between towns and cities where they may be forced/coerced into sexual activity with multiple men. Often this occurs at sex parties and young people who are involved may be used as agents to recruit others into a network. Some of this activity is described as serious organised crime and can involve the organised buying and selling of young people by perpetrators.
Victims are Trafficked through criminal networks - Often between towns, cities or buildings - Where they may be forced or coerced to have sex with multiple men and used to recruit other victims.
State the main and interelated factors of CSE
- Abuse through exchange of sexual activity for some form of payement
- Absue throught the production of indecent images &/or any other indecent material involving children whether photographs, films or other technologies
- Abuse through grooming wheter via direct contact or the use of technologies such as mobile phones & the internet
Abuse through trafficking for sexual purposes
State the factors that can make a child more vulnerable to CSE
- Chaotic or dysfunctional household
- History of abuse
- Recent bereavement or loss
- Friends or associates who are CSE victims
- Learning disabilities
- Unaware of sexual orientation
- Homelessness
- Low self esteem
- Lacking friends of the same age group
Explain the CSE triangle
Summarise consent or compliance
- The Children Act 2004 defines a child as under 18 years
- Children over 16 years can consent to sex
- If under 18 years & involved in CSE, a child cannot give consent to
their own abuse
A person consents if they agree by CHOICE and have the FREEDOM and the CAPACITY to make that choice.
Someone over 16yrs and under 18yrs may consent to the act of sex but it may still be an abusive act
Describe the reasons teenagers are targeted for CSE
- The secretive nature of teenagers
- Sex Offenders identify & target vulnerability
- Teenagers separate from their attachments (parents/carers)
- The separation is essential however it leaves them very vulnerable
- They then seek different attachments
State grooming methods that are used
- Use of new technologies
- Mobile phones
- Alcohol/drugs
- Money/ gifts
- Blackmail –‘Sexting’ ‘Love’
State the 2 types of Child Abduction Warning Notice
- S2 Child Abduction Act 1984 if the child is under 16 years
- S49 Children Act 1989 if the child is under 18 years & in Local Authority care
Issued to suspects who are belived to place children at risk of offences being commited against them. Issuing a CAWN should be considered as a safegurding measurefor the child concerned & also as active case building for potential prosecution of an offence
Explain SERAF
Sexual exploitation risk assessment framework – scoring matrix to ID risk
These assessments are completed by Social Workers or other workers in the voluntary sector i.e. Barnardos.
CSE co-ordinators are now around the force they will be looking at these forms to see what action needs to be taken by police
What is the aim of SERAF?
Identify children and young people at risk of or abused through sexual exploitation;
* Manage information about children and young people in a way that identifies risk;
gathers intelligence and monitors the extent of the issue locally;
* Identify appropriate interventions and safeguarding actions for children and young
people at risk of child sexual exploitation;
* Deliver evidence based practice in responding to the needs of children and young
people at risk of or abused through sexual exploitation.
Score Category of Risk:
0 – 5 Category 1 not at risk
6 – 10 Category 2 Mild Risk
11-15 Category 3 Moderate Risk
16 + Category 4 Significant Risk.
State locations of concern for CSE
- Shopping Centres
- Arcades
- Cafes
- Take away food outlets
- Alcohol outlets including shops, off licences
- Pubs/ clubs
- Public Parks
- Car Parks
- Hotels/ B & B
