EAST of England locals are being urged to look out for signs of child exploitation as part of a weeklong campaign by The Children’s Society.
Exploitation can happen in plain sight while children are in shopping centres, takeaways, or on public transport. It can also happen when they’re on their phones via social media or online gaming, so spotting signs of exploitation in everyday life can help
keep a child safe.
The charity’s #LookCloser campaign encourages everyone to be vigilant of children’s behaviour and activity throughout their day and evenings – getting a takeaway, waiting for a taxi, or checking in to a hotel.
Some common signs of child exploitation include:
A young person travelling alone, particularly late at night or on a regular basis.
A young person being instructed or controlled by another individual.
A young person who seems anxious, worried, angry or is displaying other behaviours that make you worried about them.
A young person carrying a lot of cash
A young person talking about new friends they have met online.
As part of the campaign The Children’s Society has been working with regional police forces, local businesses and transport companies to deliver training and provide guidance on taking action to prevent child exploitation. Initiatives include a #LookCloser
audio message being broadcast at Greater Anglia trains stations across the region, where there were also resources shared with commuters. There was also a poster display in Queensgate shopping centre in Peterborough, alongside awareness raising among the centre’s
staff.
Home Office statistics show that 410* children in the East of England were referred to the National Referral Mechanism as suspected victims of exploitation in 2024.
Many children and young people who are being exploited continue to fall through the gaps and remain unrecorded meaning the true extent of child exploitation in this country is not known and, tragically, many children and young people remain unsupported and
have to face this horrifying reality alone.
A crucial element in preventing and disrupting child exploitation is to ensure children feel able to share their experiences. Young people may not report what is happening to them because of extreme and often brutal manipulation tactics from their exploiters,
including undermining their trust in the adults around them. They may not see themselves as victims or may feel guilty or ashamed because of the criminal or sexual acts they have been forced or coerced into.
In order to better identify children experiencing exploitation and effectively support them, adults must invest time understanding young people’s lives and identity, and building trust, which is why the theme of this week’s campaign is ‘building positive relationships’.
Over the past year young people have told The Children’s Society that they feel the public will often choose not to take action to protect them because they are seen as troublemakers rather than children at risk and in need of help and support. The adultification
of children i.e. children being treated as adults, is also a significant factor in the public failing to intervene in exploitative situations, particularly when black and migrant children are involved. One child told the charity that “people don’t care as
much as they used to”.
James Simmonds-Read, National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society, said: “Young people are telling us that they feel judged by adults, and that their vulnerability is often overlooked or simply ignored.
“This generational gulf must be urgently addressed and trust restored between children and the communities they live in.
“Parents, teachers, police and the public must be better equipped to build strong relationships with children and young people, and we can start by looking at the way we communicate.
“If we truly want to support and protect children, we must make the most of the interactions we have with them. We need to demonstrate a willingness to learn about, and understand, their lives.”
It is vital people look beyond the obvious and report any concerns to the police on 999 if there is an immediate risk to a child, or 101 for less urgent situations. If on a train you can text British Transport Police on 61016. You can also remain anonymous
by contacting Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
For online concerns, report these to the police first and foremost, but it is also important to report these to the platform or game they took place on.
To find out more about child exploitation and to find guidance about effective communication with children and young people, search #LookCloser or go to childrensSociety.org.uk/LookCloser.
*Number of referrals where the responsible police force for investigating was Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Essex Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Norfolk Constabulary, and Suffolk Constabulary.
