Child Exploitation Awareness Day 2024
Exploitation is when someone, or a group of people tricks or misleads you into doing things for them that are not right. This can include child sexual exploitation (CSE) and criminal exploitation.
It can happen with anyone; a friend, a gang or group of mates, a boyfriend or girlfriend, someone who you chat to online, someone you’ve just met or someone you’ve known for ages. Someone who you think cares for you; but they don’t.
They are taking advantage of you to get you to do things that are to their benefit.
Made to do things that you really don’t want to do, things that you know aren't right is a form of abuse.
All children and young people have a right to feel safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse.
If you are exploited, it’s really important to understand that it is never your fault, the people who do it are abusing you – they are in the wrong, not you.
Listen to your instinct; if it doesn’t feel right #SaySomething
Organisations that can help include: