A brave child sexual exploitation survivor (CSE) shared her story to help raise awareness and prevent others from experiencing similar horrors.
Sarah (not her real name) was cared for and abused by an older colleague when she was just 15 years old. In the video she talks about her experiences with gifts, drugs and alcohol and explains how she was then sexually abused several times.
She said, “The reason they give you things is because they want something back. That’s how it is; they give you nice things, they take you to beautiful places because they wait for the moment to say, ‘ You owe ‘me’ “
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Sarah courageously shares her story in the hope that others will not fall victim to CSE.
With the help of the Northamptonshire Police Department’s RISE (Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation) team, Sarah got her life back and is now hoping to become a police officer.
RISE Engagement employee Olivia Candy supported Sarah for 18 months. She said: “When Sarah was referred to RISE in October 2019, there was significant concern for her welfare. She was often missing overnight, had socializing with gang members, used class A drugs such as cocaine, and used cannabis regularly.
“Sarah hooked up with older peers and was struggling with mental health. In her story she mentions several “push and pull factors” – “Push” factors are the weak points or problems that “push” the young person towards the perpetrator. This can include children who have been the victim of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse and / or a child with low self-esteem or bullying.
“The ‘pull’ factors are the nursing techniques used to attract the child’s attention, admiration and affection, which often tap into insecurities or a desire for acceptance and status by the young person.
“This can include receiving alcohol, drugs, money or gifts and / or offering accommodation without rules or boundaries. An example of this is where Sarah talks about buying McDonalds, visiting hotels in different areas of the UK, and getting drugs and alcohol. She was then sexually abused.
“All of these are classic features of CSE. I’m so proud of Sarah, both for the way she changed her life and for bravely telling her story to help others. “
Over time, caregiving changes a child’s behavior. The problem is, these changes can be very similar to typical teenage behavior. PACE (Parents Against Child Exploitation) recommends seeking advice if your child has three or more of the following warning signs:
CSE’s warning signs include
◾ Becomes extra mysterious and stop seeing her usual friends.
◾ Really sharp, violent mood swings.
◾ Develops relationships with older men and / or women (although not all abusers are older).
◾ Misses from home and does not like to tell where they have been or what they have done.
◾ Receives calls and messages from outside the normal circle of friends
◾ Has new, expensive items they couldn’t afford, like cell phones, iPods, or jewelry – as well as invisible or virtual gifts like phone credit and online gaming credit.
◾ Suddenly changes her taste for clothes or music.
◾ Looks tired, uncomfortable, and sleeps at unusual times.
◾ Has spots or scars on the body that they try to hide.
◾ Starts with another “street language” or another name.
Detective Sergeant Gary Turvey of the RISE team said, “When we talk about CSE, let’s be very clear – we are talking about child sexual abuse. This is a crime that can hit any child anytime, anywhere, regardless of their background, culture, gender, age, or ethnicity.
“One problem with involving children and young people in this context is that they often do not see themselves as victims and do not sound the alarm to get help. It is for this reason that we all have a duty to be aware of the signs that indicate a child is at risk and to speak up when you see them so that we can protect the young person and bring criminals to justice. “
PACE has also recommended that you look out for the following warning signs that indicate your child may be associated with gangs.
Include warning signs for a gang association
◾ Dealing with new groups of people, but giving little information about them
◾ Talking differently – new slang or language with an aggressive tone
◾ Poor school results or dropping out of school
◾ Inexplicable injuries or sums of money / possession
◾ Staying out for an unusually long time or not returning
◾ Graffiti style tags on possessions
◾ Interest in music that glorifies gun / gang culture
Detective Superintendent Dave Lawson, chief of police prevention and intervention, added, “The best form of protection is prevention. We are committed to preventing crime and harm before they happen. The bravery Sarah showed in sharing her story in preventing others from falling victim to the same fate is inspiring and I am confident it will go a long way in raising awareness and encouraging media coverage to seek support . “
Anyone with concerns about the safety of a young person should call the Child Safety Number on 0300 126 1000 or the Northamptonshire Police on 101.
When a child is in imminent danger, always call 999. If you suspect someone is sexually exploiting a child, or if you think someone you know may be at risk, visit the Northamptonshire Police Department’s How to Report Possible Child Abuse page. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the police text telephone service on 18001 101.