Child sexual exploitation
All children and young people should be kept safe and protected from abuse, neglect, harm and exploitation.
This is a right enshrined in legislation and all adults have a part to play in preventing children and young people from experiencing such harm.
Here you’ll find information and resources to help protect children, wherever you are in Scotland.
What is child sexual exploitation?
CSE is a form of child sexual abuse involving someone in a position of power forcing or enticing a young person under the age of 18 to take part in sexual activity in return for something – this could be money, gifts, accommodation, affection or status.
Like other forms of abuse, a child or young person could be unaware of what’s happening. Regardless of any notion of consent, it is child sexual abuse.
Sexual exploitation can take place in many different ways. It could be in person, online or a combination of both and can include children who are trafficked from within the UK or abroad.
CSE has a devastating and long lasting effect on children and young people. It often leads to a range of physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing issues throughout their lives.
How you can help
We all have a part to play in preventing CSE. You can help by knowing what to look out for and by sharing your concerns about a child or young person. If you’re worried about a child or young person, please share your concerns.
We want to hear from you
If you have information and resources you’d like to share here, please email celcis@strath.ac.uk
Child sexual exploitation resources
National responses
National responses in Scotland to child sexual exploitation.
- Child sexual exploitation (CSE) Core Components Checklist for Child Protection Committees
- Child Protection Committees’ Processes and Practices in Relation to Child Sexual Exploitation
- National Action Plan to Prevent and Tackle Child Sexual Exploitation Progress Report
- Sexual exploitation of looked after children in Scotland
- CSE the Signs: Child Sexual Exploitation National Awareness Campaign
- Implications from Rotherham for Scotland
- The National Action Plan to Prevent and Tackle Child Sexual Exploitation
- Guidance: Child Sexual Exploitation: A Guide for Health Practitioners
- Child Sexual Exploitation Definition and Summary
- Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Practitioner Briefing Paper
- National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland
- Inter-agency Guidance for Child Trafficking: Child Trafficking Assessment National Referral Mechanism
Useful organisations
