Thursday 20th March 2025

Sussex Alerts - Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness

Organised by the National Working Group (NWG) Network to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation (CE); Monday the 18th March saw Police Forces highlight a National Child Exploitation Day of awareness; showcasing the work we and partners continue to do to spot the signs of vulnerability and help to protect young people most at risk, as well as raise awareness of the signs to look out for in young people.

The day which was aimed at encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero-tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.

The Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) have recently published a report that sets out publicly a clear, detailed picture of reported Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) crimes across England and Wales.

Sadly, a total of 115,489 CSAE offences were recorded by police in 2023, reflecting the consistent growth in CSAE and the long-term trend of increased reporting to police. Evidence continues to suggest many crimes remains unreported, with an estimated 500,000 children experiencing CSAE every year.

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual or criminal activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.

The victim may have been exploited even if the sexual activity or participation in criminal activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur using technology.

Preventing the exploitation of children remains a consistent priority for Sussex Police and so too does our focus on criminal exploitation. We have recently launched Sussex Police’s new Children and Young Persons’ strategy 2025-2028, which sets out our unwavering commitment to protect children from harm.

The strategy reflects our ongoing commitment to embedding child-centred policing at the heart of every interaction with a child or young person by recognising children as children, hearing their voice, building trust and confidence, diverting children and young people away from the criminal justice systems, effective partnership working and promoting positive outcomes.

Child-centred policing

Child-centred policing is an approach taken by forces designed to guide interactions and interventions so that they are delivered in a way that prevents the unnecessary criminalisation of children, in favour of a protective safeguarding approach.

The strategy is the result of extensive engagement both internally and with our partners , taking onboard national guidance. We continue to build a child-centred culture that extends into all areas at Sussex Police. Every day, every case and every time in our working practices.

Partnership working and information sharing is key

Under ‘Working Together 2023’ (the statutory multi-agency guidance on safeguarding best practice) our Chief Constable Jo Shiner is one of the county’s lead safeguarding partners, with day-to-day accountability and delivery driven through the force’s delegated Safeguarding Lead, Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh, who is responsible for the force’s Public Protection Department.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “How we respond to and work with children now will have a profound effect on how they view and interact with policing far into the future. We know that children and young people face unique challenges, and it’s our job to protect them and keep them safe. To do this, we will train and equip our officers to:

• Recognise and protect children from harm, ensuring we never treat them as adults.
• Engage meaningfully with young people, listening to their voices and building trust.
• Work closely with our partners to protect children, prevent harm, and share vital information quickly.
• Make early interventions that help steer young people away from the criminal justice system, focusing on positive outcomes.

“Every interaction with a child or young person is an opportunity to make a positive difference. From our contact handlers to attending officers, investigators and partners, we will approach every situation with curiosity, care, and professionalism.”

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Young people are our future so it’s vital we protect and nurture them. It’s reassuring for residents to learn that Sussex Police have a dedicated, young person’s strategy outlining how they will tailor their policing response to our children.

“Research shows that, by adopting a child-centred approach, the police can build trust and confidence with children which in turn encourages reporting, reduces youth offending and allows for increased engagement opportunities between police and the young people they meet.

“Our children are growing up in an ever-increasing digital world which is why Sussex Police’s dedicated young person’s strategy continues to evolve and develop. Just last week, the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme revealed that, in 2023, 52% of reports of child sexual abuse involved children offending against other children. Policing must adapt quickly to meet these evolving challenges.

“2025 marks the fourth year that I have commissioned a programme with leading children’s charities, Barnardo’s and YMCA WiSE where young people, at risk of exploitation, are offered safeguarding and education sessions with specialists.

“It is only through dedicated programmes and specialist strategies, including tailored education, engagement and early intervention, that we can hope to keep our future generations safe.”

In the run up to the 11th Annual National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, the force Exploitation Team has been promoting messaging and resources from the National Working Group (NWG) ‘Stop CE’ campaign. Working proactively with partners to coordinate activities to mark the day, including leaflet drops in shopping centres, train stations and colleges, and actively engaging with members of the public to raise awareness around the signs and unite communities against child exploitation.

Read more about National Child Exploitation Awareness Day and visit our Children and Young People page to read more about our strategy.

Contact us

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click  www.sussex.police.uk,  (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call).  

Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999. 

Speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area.  

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.