Spot the Warning Signs
Get ahead by knowing the signs
Children are groomed and exploited in different ways.
It may be difficult for parents, carers and frontline practitioners to differentiate between ordinary teenage behaviour and the risk of or involvement in sexual or criminal exploitation but some signs may signify that children or young people are being groomed and exploited.
Change in physical appearance- new clothes, more/less make-up, poor self-image, weight gain/loss
Change in physical appearance- new clothes, more/less make-up, poor self-image, weight gain/loss
Expressions of despair (self-harm, overdose, eating disorder, challenging behaviour, aggression, appearing drunk or under the influence of drugs/alcohol, suicidal tendencies, looking tired or ill, sleeping during the day.)
Expressions of despair (self-harm, overdose, eating disorder, challenging behaviour, aggression, appearing drunk or under the influence of drugs/alcohol, suicidal tendencies, looking tired or ill, sleeping during the day.)
Indicators of CSE in conjunction with chronic alcohol and drug use
Indicators of CSE in conjunction with chronic alcohol and drug use
Becoming involved in criminality/repeat offending
Becoming involved in criminality/repeat offending
Increased use of online gaming including Xbox
Increased use of online gaming including Xbox
‘Sexting’ (the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobile phones)
Getting into cars with unknown adults or associating with known abusing adults
Getting into cars with unknown adults or associating with known abusing adults
Reports of being involved in CSE through being seen in hotspots (i.e. in certain flats, recruiting grounds, cars or houses and maybe in company of known CSE adults)
Reports of being involved in CSE through being seen in hotspots (i.e. in certain flats, recruiting grounds, cars or houses and maybe in company of known CSE adults)
Being secretive or withdrawn
Being secretive or withdrawn
Associating with other sexually exploited children
Associating with other sexually exploited children
Unsuitable or inappropriate accommodation (including street homelessness, staying with adults known to be involved in CSE and living in a place where needs are not met)
Unsuitable or inappropriate accommodation (including street homelessness, staying with adults known to be involved in CSE and living in a place where needs are not met)
Being involved in witchcraft
Living independently and failing to respond to attempts by workers to keep in touch.
Living independently and failing to respond to attempts by workers to keep in touch.
Having money, mobile phones, credit for mobile phones, sim cards, clothes, jewellery or other items without plausible explanation and not given by parents/carers
Having money, mobile phones, credit for mobile phones, sim cards, clothes, jewellery or other items without plausible explanation and not given by parents/carers
Having possession of hotel keys/key cards or keys to unknown premises
Having possession of hotel keys/key cards or keys to unknown premises
Knowledge of towns and cities they have no previous connection with
Knowledge of towns and cities they have no previous connection with
Disappearing from the ‘system’ with no contact or support
Disappearing from the ‘system’ with no contact or support
Having increased health/sexual health related problems
Having increased health/sexual health related problems
Sexually transmitted infections/ pregnancy
Sexually transmitted infections/ pregnancy
Indicators of CSE alongside serious self harming behaviour
Indicators of CSE alongside serious self harming behaviour
Volatile/criminal behaviour
Exclusion and/or unexplained absences from school or not engaged in education or training. Non school attendance or excluded due to behaviour
Exclusion and/or unexplained absences from school or not engaged in education or training. Non school attendance or excluded due to behaviour
Experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol
Experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol
Child under 16 meeting different adults and exchanging or selling sexual activity
Child under 16 meeting different adults and exchanging or selling sexual activity
Child under 13 engaging in penetrative sex with another over 15 years
Child under 13 engaging in penetrative sex with another over 15 years
Becoming disruptive at home or school or using offensive language
Becoming disruptive at home or school or using offensive language
Older ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ or relationship with a controlling adult
Regularly coming home late or going missing overnight or longer
Regularly coming home late or going missing overnight or longer
Being a victim of honour based violence
Being a victim of honour based violence
Isolated from peers and social networks; not mixing with their usual friends
Isolated from peers and social networks; not mixing with their usual friends
Unusual association with taxi drivers/firms
Unusual association with taxi drivers/firms
Having multiple mobile phones, sim cards or use of a mobile phone that causes concern; multiple callers, more texts than usual
Receiving rewards of money or goods for recruiting peers into CSE or just introducing peers to known adults
Receiving rewards of money or goods for recruiting peers into CSE or just introducing peers to known adults
Being taken to clubs and hotels by adults and engaging in sexual activity
Being taken to clubs and hotels by adults and engaging in sexual activity
Being taken abroad by family members (forced marriage)
Being taken abroad by family members (forced marriage)
Frequent use of public transport
Having marks or scars on their body which they try to conceal by refusing to undress or uncover parts of their body
Having marks or scars on their body which they try to conceal by refusing to undress or uncover parts of their body
Multiple miscarriages or terminations
Being defensive about where they have been and what they have been doing
Being defensive about where they have been and what they have been doing
Use of the internet that causes concern including possible use of web cam
Use of the internet that causes concern including possible use of web cam
Sexualised risk taking including on Internet and mobile phone
Sexualised risk taking including on Internet and mobile phone
Association with gangs
Association with gangs
Removed from known ‘red light’ district by professionals due to suspected CSE
Removed from known ‘red light’ district by professionals due to suspected CSE
Being hostile or physically aggressive in their relationship with parents/carers or other family members
Associating/developing a sexual relationship with older men or women
Associating/developing a sexual relationship with older men or women
Physical or emotional abuse by that ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ or controlling adult
Physical or emotional abuse by that ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ or controlling adult
Being taken to brothels/massage parlours
Being taken to brothels/massage parlours
Returning home after long intervals but appearing well cared for
Returning home after long intervals but appearing well cared for
Lack of positive relationship with a protective, nurturing adult
Lack of positive relationship with a protective, nurturing adult
Breakdown of residential placements due to behaviour
Overtly sexualised dress
Overtly sexualised dress
Disclosure of physical/ sexual assault and then refusing to make or withdrawing a complaint
Disclosure of physical/ sexual assault and then refusing to make or withdrawing a complaint
Receiving rewards of money or goods for recruiting peers into CSE or just introducing peers to known adults
Receiving rewards of money or goods for recruiting peers into CSE or just introducing peers to known adults
Abduction and forced imprisonment
Abduction and forced imprisonment
Being bought/sold for sexual acts
Being bought/sold for sexual acts