Raising awareness key to stopping child abuse

THIS Sunday marks National Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day across the UK.

CSE is a particularly horrendous form of sexual abuse that involves the manipulation, or coercion, of young people into sexual activity.

Unfortunately, this exploitation of children can often be very difficult to spot.

Young people who are being abused can be tricked into believing they are in a loving relationship.

They can often be given gifts, money, or drugs, so they become dependent on the person abusing them, and can also be intimidated and threatened, so they comply with demands.

It can happen to children regardless of their age, location, background, or their gender.

With the rising use of smartphones and tablets, more young people are communicating behind closed doors, making it ever more difficult for parents to know what their children are doing.

The rise in the selfie culture and use of social media could also be fuelling the problem, with young people putting themselves at greater risk of sexual exploitation by sharing personal information.

In just six months (April-October 2017), there were 37 offences recorded by the PSNI of sexual communication with a child and.

In 2016/17, the PSNI recorded, on average, more than five sexual offences against children every day in Northern Ireland. We would urge parents to educate themselves about the potential dangers online, so they can talk to their children.

Parents need to be alert to any changes in their child’s behaviour that could suggest they are being targeted or abused, and it is vitally important they have open and honest conversations with their children, to enable young people to talk to someone if they feel worried or scared about anything they’ve been involved in.

Members of the public also play a big part in helping to protect children, and we ask everyone to make themselves aware of the signs of child sexual exploitation, and, if they see them, to know where to go for help.

The dedicated NSPCC CSE helpline is on 0800 389 1701. Children worried about anything that is happening to them can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

NEIL ANDERSON Head, NSPCC (NI)