THERE ARE MANY MISCONCEPTIONS AROUND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE), LARGELY DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ISSUE AS REPORTED IN THE MEDIA.
The danger in stereotyping the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of CSE, is that we (as child protection professionals), could fail to spot the signs effectively outside of these stereotypes, along with drawing up pre-conceived attitudes and prejudices that affect the way we respond to safeguarding young people from CSE.
It is important that we recognise that victims of child sexual exploitation are always innocent and it is our responsibility as child protection professionals to respond to all cases without prejudice.
