Title: Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming
Headings: Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming
Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming
Defining child sexual exploitation
Identifying the signs
How sexual exploitation happens
Grooming
How grooming happens
​Identify the signs
Most at risk
Identify perpetrators of child sexual exploitation
Report child sexual exploitation and grooming
Talk to children about sexual exploitation
More information
External resources
Keeping children safe from sexual exploitation strategy

Content: While the below information describes some of the ways in which grooming can happen, grooming will not always look like this. Offenders are deceptive and manipulative in the way they work, so it is important to draw on a range of information, such as the warning signs of sexual exploitation, if you have concerns. Targeting
The groomer could be a male or female and may look for a young person or a group of young people in places such as schools, other places young people frequent or by creating false profiles on the internet. They may show an interest in the child and perhaps offer the child or young person something, for example, a cigarette, food and drink or someone to talk to for support. Relationship building
The groomer may want to keep contact with their target and even isolate them from their supportive networks. They may give them a mobile phone; make them feel special by complimenting them or do favours for them such as giving them lifts and planning fun activities. This may lead to the child spending less time with their friends and family. Fake loving relationship or friendship
Victims may enter a fake loving relationship or friendship with the groomer. Within the fake friendship, children and young people may be introduced to sex through, for example, porn or watching sexual acts.