Sarah Goodwin - Senior YPA Haringey and Enfield

Sarah Goodwin - Senior YPA Haringey and Enfield

Anna Reilly– Senior Young People’s Advocate

Safer London Foundation

Our vision is for young people in London to feel safe and achieve their potential

We work to improve the safety and wellbeing of young people in London affected by violence and crime

Young women’s intensive 1:1 support

Specialist advice & case consultation

Young women’s group education programme

Young men’s group education programme

Parents and foster carers workshopsProfessionals training and events

The support framework consists of:

Empower is a support programme addressing young women’s experiences of sexual exploitation, primarily through gangs.

Learning Agreement

Challenge the statement, not the personConfidentiality, with exception of safeguarding Mobiles – off or silent please!We will be discussing sensitive issues including rape & sexual violence. Attendees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own participation.Please be responsible for your own timekeeping

Learning Outcomes

Understand what Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) means in a gang contextUnderstand the roles played by women in gangsIdentify early warning signs of young people at risk of CSEBe aware of the referral pathways in Haringey*Information is adapted from: ‘Working with Gang affected young women experiencing sexual and domestic violence’ AVA & WAGN

Values and Attitudes

What is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?

What is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?

The sexual exploitation of children and

young people under 18

involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons)

receive something

(e.g. food accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affections, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. Child sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the Childs's immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases those exploiting the child/young person have

power over them

by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and /or economic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidations are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the Childs or

young persons limited availability of choice

resulting form their social/economic and /or emotional vulnerability

National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People, 2010

“Through threats, bribes, violence, humiliation, or by telling you that they love you, they will have the power to get you to do sexual things for their own, or other people’s benefit or enjoyment, including: touching or kissing private parts, sex, taking sexual photos ...”

Young Women’s Group, New Horizons: 2008 Out of the Box: Doncaster Streetreach

“It’s when you don’t know your choices, that other people have all the power ...”

“Some one taking advantage of you sexually, for their own benefit...”

Young People’s Perspective

Trafficked

Online

Opportunistic

Familial

Sexual

Bullying

Older

‘

boyfriend

’

Peer on

Peer

Child Sexual

Exploitation

Groups

Individuals

Gangs

Trends in CSE

2,409

confirmed victims of CSEGG August 2010 to October

2011.

16,500

at risk (3 or more

behaviours

)

72% were girls and 9% boys

Perpetrators are predominantly male, victims predominantly female

Most often takes place between people who are known to each other

Used as a means of boys and young men exerting power and control over girls and young women

OCC CSEGG Interim Report, Nov 2012

CSE: gangs, groups and peers

Gang-associated sexual exploitation, victimisation and abuseSexual exploitation is not the main reason why a gang is formedGroup sexual exploitation, victimisation and abuseGroup exists in person or online for the purpose of sexual exploitationPeer-on-peer sexual exploitation, victimisation and abuseExploitation of children and young people by other children and young people CSEGG Inquiry call for evidence - OCC Autumn 2012

What roles do young women have in gangs?

Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG)

Line-ups – forced or coerced oral sex, multiple perpetratorsBattery chick – a woman who is expected to have sex with many members of the same gangGang rape - Multiple perpetrator rape Links - Sexual activity in return for (perceived) status or protection Honey-Trap - Young women ‘setting-up’ people in other gangs Sexual assault as a weapon in conflict and retaliationGang associated SE and SV is rarely reported Information on sexual violence against young men is less forthcoming. Sexual violence against young men is ‘viewed differently’

14

“Rape has become a weapon of choice ... as it is the only weapon that cannot be detected during a stop and search” ROTA Report: Female Voice in Violence (2010) and This is it, this is My Life (2011)

Vulnerability Factors

Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional householdHistory of abuseLiving in residential care, hostel, B&B or being homelessGang association either through relatives, peers, intimate relationships or neighbourhoodLacking friends from the same age groupAttending school or are friends with young people who are sexually exploitedNot engaging in education/training or employmentUnsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose sexual orientation to their familiesLearning disabilitiesYoung carerRecent bereavement or lossLow self-esteem or self-confidence OCC Inquiry CSEGG Interim Report, 2012

Behavioural and Risk Indicators

Older ‘boyfriend’

Gang-involved male peers Missing from home or carePhysical injuries.Drug or alcohol misuseInvolvement in offendingRepeat sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancy and terminationsEvidence of sexual bullying and/or vulnerability through the internet and/or social networking sites

Disclosures made then withdrawn Unexplained money or gifts and unexplained mobilesAbsent from schoolBullying in or out of schoolChange in physical appearanceRecruiting others into exploitative situationsFamily involvement in sexual exploitation Poor mental healthSelf-harm or thoughts of/or attempts at suicide CSEGG Inquiry, OCC Nov 2012

16

Jay

Professionals

Sexually exploited young people are frequently described by professionals as being;promiscuous.. sexually available.. asking for it.. prostituting..Suggests children are responsible for their own abuse.Gang interruption interventions are male dominated and designed for young menMen and boys require support to understand the consequences of their attitudes and behaviours Services and agencies working in silos, not multi-agency and information sharing ROTA 2010 & CSEGG, OCC Nov 2012

Protective Factors

Knowledge of healthy relationshipsStrong self-esteemAwareness about consentAwareness and trust in support services

“A person consents if he/she agrees by

choice

and

has the

freedom

and

capacity

to make that

choice

”

Section 74, sexual Offences Act:2003

The CSE Process and LSCB Guidance

1. Identify YP at risk using indicators and vulnerability factors

2

. Bring case to attention of safeguarding lead and notify CSC

3

. CSE Strategy meeting held with all relevant professionals (including specialist CSE service)Share information regarding indicators and vulnerability factorsDecide level of risk (low/med/high)Create safeguarding plan

4

. Put safeguarding plan into action. Key importance that info continues to be shared as appropriate

At least every 3 months meeting is held and risks and plan are reviewed. More frequently if circumstances change

Pan-London Sexual Exploitation Protocol

Aims of the Protocol

To identify those children at risk of being sexually exploitedTo work collaboratively to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people who are being, or are at risk of being, sexually exploitedTo provide timely and effective interventions with children and families to safeguard those vulnerable to sexual exploitationTo apply pro-active problem solving to address the risks associated with victims, perpetrators and locations and ensure the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people who are or may be at risk from sexual exploitationTo take action against those intent on abusing and exploiting children and young people by prosecuting and disrupting perpetratorsTo raise awareness and provide preventative education for the welfare of children and young people who are, or may be, sexually exploited

Contacts

Sarah Goodwin- Senior YPA Haringey Email: sarah.goodwin@haringey.gov.ukMobile: 07850 630 208Vic Cousins- Empower Project Manager (Haringey)Email: victoriacousins@saferlondonfoundation.orgMobile: 07734 955 898 CSE lead- Deirdre CreganEmail: deirdre.cregan@haringey.gov.uk

Further Reading

Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG)Female Voice in Violence Final Report: This is it, this is my Life (ROTA 2011) Safeguarding children affected by Gang Activity and/or serious Youth violence (LSCB 2010)Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (DCSF 2010)MET CSE ProtocolTeenagers at Risk: The Safeguarding needs of Young People in Gangs and Violent Peer Groups (NSPCC 2009)

Links

PACE - Parents against Child Sexual http://www.paceuk.info/Blast - Blast support's and works with boys and young men who have been, are being, or are at risk of being sexually exploited. http://mesmac.co.uk/blastWomen and Girl’s Network (WGN) - offers counselling, support and advice for women who have been affected by gendered violence, including sexual and domestic violence. http://www.wgn.org.uk/CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – works across the UK tackling child sexual abuse and providing advice for parents, children and young people and practitioners http://www.thinkuknow.org.uk/