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.