Exploitation of children and young people
It is up to us to protect our children. Children are vulnerable to exploitation. Exploitation takes many
forms. A close and positive relationship with your child can reduce their vulnerability. Making sure
they have high self-esteem and feel good about themselves can stop them falling into abusive
All children have a right to be safe from harm, wherever they are. If you both understand the risks of
the internet you can make sensible and informed choices online. The Child Exploitation and Online
Protection (CEOP) Centre delivers a multi-agency service dedicated to tackling the exploitation of
Children involved in sexual exploitation can become victims of serious physical and sexual attacks,
which can sometimes lead to death. They can easily become addicted to drugs and alcohol and
face a high risk of catching Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The emotional and psychological
damage can be huge and can lead to self-harm, severe depression and even suicide.
Adults who benefit from child sexual exploitation use many different methods to target children.
It can begin with an ‘exciting’ new friendship with an older boyfriend or girlfriend. The child may
receive expensive gifts and be given alcohol or drugs. Before long they create a loyal and dependent
relationship with the victim. It is against the Law and a form of sexual abuse, which puts the child at
risk from physical, emotional and psychological damage.