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: Child sexual exploitation can occur in person or online, and sometimes the child or young person may not even realise they are a victim. Identifying the signs
Child sexual exploitation can be hard to identify, however there are warning signs. As professionals who work with children, you are often best placed to identify signs and behaviours that may indicate that a child or young person has been subject to abuse, or that a school community member may be a perpetrator of abuse. It is therefore critical that you are able to recognise the signs of sexual exploitation, as you may be the only adult in a position to identify and respond to suspected abuse. In many cases the signs that an adult is sexually abusing (or grooming a child with the intent of sexually abusing them) may not be obvious. To find out more about how to spot the signs, see: Identifying signs of abuse
How sexual exploitation happens
Child sexual exploitation can take many forms but some of the common situations in which it can occur include: Inappropriate relationship
This usually involves an individual who exercises inappropriate power or control over a young person. There may be a significant age gap. The victim may believe they are in a loving relationship or friendship initially but the relationship then changes and the offender uses their power over the young person to coerce, intimidate and continue the abuse.