HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?
CURRENT GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE STATES THAT IN ORDER TO RECOGNISE, RESPOND TO AND PREVENT CSE, THREE THINGS MUST BE PRESENT:
1. INVESTIGATION OF AND PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS
This involves strong multi-agency work in order to both support the young people involved in child sexual exploitation and bring prosecutions to their perpetrators.
We work closely with Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Boards, Derbyshire Police and other agencies that support young people where relevant.
2. PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED OR TARGETED FOR CSE
All organisations working with children and young people will have their own safeguarding procedures which must be followed whenever you have a concern about the safety of a young person in your care. Even if the child has asked to keep information confidential, you have a duty of care to report concerns and can do so via your local authority’s social care team.
3. PREVENTATIVE, EDUCATIONAL AND
INTERVENTION WORK
Greater understanding of child sexual exploitation amongst young people is necessary to prevent others becoming victims of the abuse in the future.
We work in schools and other education settings to raise awareness of CSE with young people including how to spot the signs, what is grooming and what constitutes healthy relationships.
We also offer a programme of national training courses aimed at practitioners working with children, young people and their families at risk or directly affected by child sexual exploitation.