Call to help spot signs of child exploitation

Children’s Society chief executive Mark Russell writes about their Look Closer campaign.

Across the country, thousands of children and young people are subjected to horrific exploitation and abuse every year.

They are groomed by predators with offers of friendship, gifts, cash and status then coerced using terrifying threats and violence into crimes like trafficking drugs in county lines operations. Children are also exploited for sex and some are forced to work in premises like car washes and nail bars.

In the West Midlands in 2019/20, gangs were identified as a risk 1,650 times in assessments of children referred to social services, while trafficking was deemed to be a factor on 460 occasions, both indicators of child criminal exploitation. Risks of child sexual exploitation were highlighted in 2,040 assessments and in 1,990 instances, children going missing, also a sign of exploitation, was pinpointed as a factor.

However, many children are too scared to tell adults what is happening. That’s why we need your help. During the week from Monday 17th May The Children’s Society is running a ‘Look Closer’ Awareness Week with the National County Lines Coordination Centre and police forces across the country including British Transport Police. Our ongoing #Look Closer campaign urges everyone – from commuters and delivery drivers to hotel and shop staff – to look out for signs of child exploitation in public spaces and their neighbourhood and report any concerns.

During the Look Closer Awareness Week running during the week commencing May 17th, staff from The Children’s Society’s Prevention programme will be offering online learning events to professionals across police forces, local authorities, to employees working in the hotel, banking and transport sectors, churches and to staff at professional football clubs including community outreach coaches. Resources including posters, leaflets and social media content will be shared with these groups as well as taxi drivers, street pastors, housing associations, businesses, and train and bus companies, while the campaign will be promoted on digital billboards at rail stations.

Police forces across the country are supporting the campaign and during the week they will be helping to raise awareness of its importance among both their own officers and staff, as well as the wider public.

Any child or young person from any community can be vulnerable to being groomed, exploited and abused. But they may not raise concerns because they have been manipulated and may not see themselves as victims – or they may be too afraid amid threats of violence.

Signs could include children carrying large amounts of cash, appearing under the control of others, looking lost, or travelling alone at night. Trauma may lead to children appearing angry or aggressive rather than vulnerable or upset as people might expect – so look beyond the obvious.

Anyone worried about a child can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. If there is an immediate risk to a child dial 999. If you are on a train text British Transport Police on 61016

You may not be sure about your concerns, but trust your instincts. Your phone call could be a crucial first step in helping a child escape a situation of terrible abuse and unimaginable trauma.