Child sexual exploitation 'happening in every part of Scotland'

The report, entitled Sexual Exploitation of Children involved in the Children’s Hearings System, is the first national study of child sexual exploitation in Scotland. It has been published by the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) and Barnardo’s Scotland.

It identified child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases in 27 of Scotland’s 32 council areas. The organisations say the research shows the message that child sexual exploitation can happen anywhere is as important as it has ever been, and that efforts to increase communities’ and agencies’ ability to recognise and respond must continue.

Child sexual exploitation is defined as a type of child sexual abuse that occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants.

The research found that while both boys and girls are victims of sexual exploitation, girls remain more likely to be recognised as victims – despite awareness-raising across the length and breadth of Scotland. Boys continue to not be seen as victims and their abuse is too often invisible to child protection services, the organisations say. The report says: “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.”

Eighty per cent of boys, compared with 25% of girls, that were identified by the research team as likely victims of sexual exploitation were not identified as such in official reports. The organisations say this suggests boys’ vulnerabilities to sexual exploitation are not being recognised or taken seriously. It also means that the extent of CSE involving boys is likely to be higher than known.

The report 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.

Barnardo’s Scotland has also today launched a policy paper, Policy Report: Sexual exploitation of children involved in the Children’s Hearings System, based on the key findings from the joint research, offering 15 recommendations for action by a variety of organisations. They cover subjects including 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.

The charity says it recognises the progress that has been made on CSE, but is calling for a commitment to further action, which it says requires collective responsibility from the sector and leadership from Scottish Government.

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 they are being sexually exploited; such is the co-ercive 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.”

Daljeet Dagon, national programme manager for CSE at Barnardo’s Scotland 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 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.

“Our recommendations, while not all new, call for a renewed urgency to deliver better protection and services for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people.”