CSE AND THE LAW

THERE IS NO SPECIFIC OFFENCE FOR ‘CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION’ THEREFORE PERPETRATORS CAN BE CONVICTED UNDER THE SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2003 FOR OFFENCES SUCH AS:

  • Rape
  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual activity with a child
  • Possessing indecent images of children
  • Distribution of indecent images of a child
  • Making indecent images of a child
  • Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
  • Abuse of position of trust
  • Meeting a child following sexual grooming
  • Trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation
  • Trafficking out of/into the UK for sexual exploitation
  • Administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence

Most serious crimes listed above would fall under section 47 of the Children’s Act 1989, where you have ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.’

If you are concerned about a child in relation to any of these things, you have a duty of care to report this to the police and your local authority’s social care team.

EFFECTIVELY COORDINATED AND JOINED-UP MULTI-AGENCY WORKING WITH ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CONVICTION PROCESS FROM THE POLICE, SOCIAL SERVICES AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ENSURES A HIGHER SUCCESS RATE OF CSE PROSECUTIONS.