The urgent need to cut children free from sexual exploitation

This report outlines what is known about the scale and nature of sexual exploitation across the UK and points to some worrying new trends identified by Barnardo’s 22 specialist services. Emphasising that child sexual exploitation is a child protection issue, the report calls for the secretary of state for education to appoint a minister to take forward a national action plan to tackle this crime against children. The policy recommendations set out in this report are focused on England only, but draws on Barnardo’s experiences in each of the nations to show that this is a UK-wide issue that needs to be taken seriously by governments across the UK. This report calls on the Secretary of State for Education to take the lead in ensuring a fundamental shift in policy, practice and service delivery in England. It makes the case for a minister, supported by dedicated officials, to take responsibility and set out a clear plan of action for all agencies to: 1. Raise awareness to improve early identification of child sexual exploitation. All professionals in universal services need to be aware of their role in identifying and addressing child sexual exploitation. Children, young people and their parents and carers need to have the right information to help them access support quickly and safely. 2. Improve statutory responses and the provision of services. In addition to ensuring that universal services can respond to boys and girls who are victims of sexual exploitation, it is also vital that the right specialist services are commissioned and that there are clearly determined pathways from universal to specialist services. 3. Improve the evidence. There is an urgent need to improve data on the prevalence of child sexual exploitation, to strengthen the evidence base and to support professionals to appropriately share information. 4. Improve prosecution procedures. To increase the number of cases that lead to a conviction, action is needed to improve police, prosecution and court practice, particularly in supporting victims to act as witnesses.

 

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