Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Sometimes it’s hard for us to see when we are not being treated right and this is when family, friends, neighbours and communities are so important.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse and can involve people of a similar age as well as adults. It could involve your son, daughter, sister, brother, cousin, friend or customer. It’s not always easy to spot the signs but it’s up to all of us to look out for them.

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. People who do this want young people to think they are a friend, or a boyfriend or girlfriend. They want to gain their trust to get power over them.

CSE can also happen through technology, for example someone they have spoken to online and they are being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet. CSE is never okay, it’s a crime and if it’s happening to you or someone close to you there is help there for you.