Children at risk of sexual exploitation
New research suggests an increased risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE) for children who have multiple moves within the care system.
The report, Keeping it Safe, by Cardiff University used case records to track 205 children involved with social services in one local authority in Wales and highlights a number of experiences and factors that increase the risks of CSE.
The findings indicate that getting the decision about where is best for a child to be right first time matters, and has significant consequences for children and young people and suggests that females are more likely to experience CSE, and male and females victims of child abuse are more than five times more likely others to experience CSE.
There are 12 recommendations in the report aimed at professionals and the Welsh Government, including the need to move away from a focus on risk in social care practice with young people and suggests wellbeing as the main driver for change.