Child sexual exploitation – NSPCC’s dedicated helpline
The NSPCC has set up a dedicated helpline, 0800 389 1701, to specifically support the investigation into child sexual exploitation in Northern Ireland. If you need advice, information or if you have concerns about a child at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse, please call the helpline. Our staff will provide 24 hour advice and support to callers so that protective action can be taken to safeguard children and young people. Callers to the helpline can remain anonymous.
The common factor seen in children who become victims of sexual exploitation is their vulnerability. Abusers take advantage of an imbalance of power, grooming children for sexual exploitation and abuse through varying degrees and stages of enticement, coercion, intimidation and violence.
The early focus of this investigation in Northern Ireland has been on children in care but it is important to remember that vulnerable children from all backgrounds and all walks of life can become victims of sexual exploitation.
One of the main learning points from investigations of child sexual exploitation in England is that measuring the full size and scale of the issue is very difficult. For Northern Ireland, our concern is that we may only be seeing the first signs of a bigger problem.
The harsh reality is that Northern Ireland is not immune to sexual exploitation of children such as that so widely reported in connection with recent court cases in Rochdale and Oxford. This is a sharp reminder that every one of us has to remain vigilant and when we have concerns about a child, we have to speak out.