Spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation

Healthcare professionals can play a key role in spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation. Health Education England (HEE) has produced a video to provide practical advice on what they can do if they suspect a patient or person in their care is at risk.

Child sexual exploitation is either contact or non-contact sexual abuse of children or young people. It can occur at any age and particularly around different forms or models, such as the “boyfriend” model of exploitation or by organised gangs. It is an illegal act that the police and other enforcement agencies are working hard to clamp down on.

Healthcare workers and other professionals who come into contact with young people need support and guidance as to how they can best support victims. The video demonstrates this can be a real challenge but being aware of the things to look out for could help stop someone from falling victim to this crime.

It is important that, where possible, healthcare professionals help the police and other agencies to crack down on this crime, which can devastate lives.

To watch the video and find out how to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation visit the HEE website.

Lisa Bayliss Pratt

Director of nursing and deputy director of education and quality

Health Education England