Over 500 cases of child sexual exploitation in Devon & Cornwall last year
The charity is sharing the research as Childline launches ‘The Full Story’ campaign
Last updated 30th Oct 2022
Crime data analysed by the NSPCC shows there were almost 527 cases of child sexual exploitation across Devon and Cornwall in 2021 - which is 32 less than the year before
In the same period in England and Wales, there were 17,486 crimes logged by police where children had been sexually exploited– an average of 48 offences a day, and an increase of 10% on the previous year.
The charity is revealing this data as its Childline service launches ‘The Full Story’ campaign in a bid to encourage more children and teenagers at risk of, or suffering sexual exploitation to use Childline for immediate, confidential help.
Over the last year, Childline has heard from thousands of young people about sexual exploitation with some being manipulated into performing sexual activities after being given money, drugs or love and affection.
Whilst others have been sexually exploited after being trafficked from their home after being threatened with violence or the promise of a better life elsewhere.
The number of Childline counselling sessions on sexual exploitation and abuse has increased from 5,962 to 6,230 this year (April 2021 - March 2022).
One girl of secondary school age told Childline: “I was abused by my dad when I was younger. My boyfriend has started to sexually abuse me and has introduced his friends to do the same. I’ve been raped by my boyfriend. He has been giving me drink and drugs. I want to break up with him, but I’m scared about what he will do. I feel like it’s my fault for letting this happen. I’ve considered going to the police, but my boyfriend has said he will show people sexual videos of me.”
The campaign has created a series of short films showing five different scenarios of sexual exploitation, taken from real Childline calls.
This week, the service has unveiled posters at bus stops, motorway service stations, cinemas, colleges, Pupil Referral Units, youth centres, youth hostels, children’s homes, GP’s, and sexual health clinics.
The campaign name, The Full Story, alludes to mixed and often conflicting feelings a child who is being sexually exploited may experience.
Darren Worth, Service Head of Childline said: “Sexual exploitation is a complex crime and often when children describe what is happening in their relationship, they don’t realise they are being groomed and abused.
“Our counsellors have heard from children who have said they didn’t realise what they experienced in a relationship or friendship was wrong until they were much older, and some said at the time they thought their abuser was someone they could trust.
“Others said they thought they were to blame for what had happened and were scared about what would happen if they did speak out.
“This is why this campaign is so important as it’s essential that all children and young people have an awareness of this issue and know that no matter what the circumstances are, that sexual exploitation is never a child’s fault and there are people like Childline who can help.”