18 March 2015
The Safeguarding Partnership Board is joining forces with island agencies and UK colleagues to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE) as part of an awareness day today (Wednesday 18 March).
Last year in Jersey, 76 cases of suspected CSE were reported to professionals. The statistic, released today, shows that there are serious concerns about the exploitation of young people in Jersey which are being regularly reported to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Detective Superintendent Stewart Gull, lead for CSE for the Safeguarding Partnership Board, said in the last year 254 young people had been recorded as going missing 392 times and that this, taken with other indicators, could be one of the key signs that a young person was being exploited.
Det Gull said “CSE is such a sensitive subject and a type of crime that people may think would not happen in Jersey. The awareness day is to remind people that it can happen anywhere and we all have a duty to protect our young people from this kind of exploitation.
“CSE victims often do not see themselves as victims but rather in a loving relationship, they do not recognise they are being controlled by a manipulative individual and the reality of how they feel is usually something quite different.”
Manipulation and / or coercion of young people
CSE is a form of sexual abuse that involves the manipulation and/or coercion of young people under the age of 18 into sexual activity.
The States of Jersey Police were joined by other agencies last year, to embark on a high profile campaign last year to explain to the public what CSE is, who it effects and where to get help.
A week of activities have been planned to promote the awareness day, including:
- airing three commercials produced by the States of Jersey Police last year on Channel TV, as well as using social media to promote a feature length video telling the stories of the three girls from the advert
- raising awareness via social media awareness using #CSEDay15 and #CSE
- the Police Chief will join other Police Chiefs across the UK in taking a publicity photo condemning CSE
- posters have been developed to place around the island, and can be downloaded from the States of Jersey Police website
- a number of CSE inputs in schools via Prison! Me! No Way! (see schedule below)
- a CSE display within Brook Clinic, and staff there will speak to young people on the subject
- The Children’s Service will be holding a lunchtime seminar for multi-agency colleagues
Det Supt Gull said “I would like everyone to watch the videos, look at the posters or talk to one of the agencies so they know all about CSE and if they are then ever concerned about a young person they know what the signs are and most importantly how to get them help.”
Information about warning signs and where to get help, and a timetable of events, is all available on the States of Jersey Police website.
Child sexual exploitation on agenda on States of Jersey Police website
gov.je