Child abuse in 'every corner of Scotland'

A new report examining the extent of Child Sexual Exploitation in Scotland claims abuse is happening "in every corner of the country".

But it's feared some boys may not be getting the help they need - because their "vulnerabilities are not being recognised or taken seriously".

"Sexual exploitation of children involved in the Children's Hearings System" is the first national study of its kind in Scotland.

It found victims in 27 of the country’s 32 local authority areas.

However, it's emerged 80 per cent of boys (compared with 25 per cent of girls) identified by the research team as likely victims of sexual exploitation were not identified in official reports.

The ground-breaking research is a joint initiative between the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) and Barnardo’s Scotland.

Alistair Hogg, Head of Practice and Policy at SCRA, said: “Child sexual exploitation is a particularly hidden form of sexual abuse and crime. Victims may not be aware that they are being sexually exploited; such is the coercive nature of perpetrators and the control they exert over their victims. It is very rare for a child to disclose that they are a victim.

“We hope today’s report will lead to a sustained focus on child sexual exploitation in Scotland and that by working together with all our partners, we can protect the most vulnerable children and young people in our communities.”

The research was based on the case files held by SCRA of 213 children. It identified 44 cases where child sexual exploitation was reported by services and 30 where it was assessed that the child was a likely victim of sexual exploitation.

Of the 74 children, there were 53 girls and 21 boys who were victims or likely victims of sexual exploitation. For almost half, this abuse started before they were 13-years-old; the youngest victim was just 11-years-old.

The study found that there were many similarities between boys and girls in terms of their social, family and behavioural vulnerabilities, and their histories of care.

Almost all were influenced by negative peers and/or older people, and/or had not had a protective, nurturing adult at some point in their lives; half had experienced a significant bereavement, while around a third had been exposed to sexual behaviour and/or have a learning difficulty.

The report states: "Where there are similarities between boys and girls who are victims of sexual exploitation in terms of their social, family and behavioural vulnerabilities, histories of care and trauma, girls were more likely to be identified by services as victims."

Boys were more likely to have been exposed to violence (76% boys, 53% girls) and display sexually harmful behaviour (33% boys, 13% girls) than girls. Girls were more likely to be reported to have a much older boy/girlfriend (14% boys, 70% girls); be victims of sexual abuse (24% boys, 55% girls); have attempted suicide (24% boys, 43% girls); self-harmed (48% boys, 85% girls) and be sexually active (48% boys, 85% girls). The report questions whether these differences are real or result from a bias towards reporting of such risks for girls.

The study also reveals that unlike other parts of the UK, in Scotland this type of abuse is not necessarily being committed by organised groups and networks – perpetrators often operate on their own and can be anyone, including children’s family members and those described as older boy or girlfriends. Children are vulnerable by nature of their age, context and because someone is prepared to exploit and harm them, not because of where they live.

Based on the key findings from the joint research, Barnardo’s Scotland is launching a Policy paper, offering 15 recommendations for action to help keep children safe.

The recommendations cover important subjects such as use of language, the gendered nature of CSE, the use of assessment tools and frameworks, the effectiveness of information-sharing, and the response to victims.

Daljeet Dagon, the children's charity's National Programme Manager for Child Sexual Exploitation, said: “Although there have been improvements in the way we understand and respond to Child Sexual Exploitation, we still struggle to identify victims or potential victims due to inconsistencies in reporting; a failure to understand who can be affected by CSE and a reticence to raise concerns. It is therefore vitally important that all professionals as well as members of the community remain alert to the vulnerabilities and indicators of CSE and are supported to ensure they are asking the right questions, at the right time, and in the right way.

“As the National Action Plan to Tackle and Prevent Child Sexual Exploitation came to a close earlier this year, there is an urgent need for the spotlight to be turned back on child sexual exploitation and it is necessary to find a new structure through which improvements in policy and practice can be progressed.

“Barnardo’s Scotland has produced a number of recommendations based on the research, whilst they are not all new, they do call for a renewed urgency to deliver better protection and services for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people.”

The Scottish Government says it's committed to taking action to ensure the perpetrators are stopped and brought to justice.

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