MORE THAN 1,000 child exploitation crimes were recorded in the West Midlands last year, according to children’s charity.
Analysis by the NSPCC of police recorded crime data found during 2021/22, 1,471 crimes were recorded by police in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia, West Midlands – an average of four every day.
In the same period in England and Wales, there were 17,486 crimes logged by police where children had been sexually exploited – an average of 48 offences a day, and an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year.
Childline revealed the data as it launched its ‘The Full Story’ campaign to encourage more children and teenagers at risk of, or suffering, sexual exploitation, to turn to the charity for immediate, confidential help.
A series of short films have been created, showing five different scenarios of sexual exploitation, taken from real Childline calls.
As well as helping children and young people gain an understanding of what sexual exploitation is and what a healthy relationship looks like.
Childline is focused on getting more young people to connect with it so the charity can offer immediate help and confidential support.
The service has unveiled posters at bus stops, motorway service stations, cinemas, colleges, Pupil Referral Units, youth centres, youth hostels, children’s homes, GP surgeries and sexual health clinics.
The number of Childline counselling sessions on sexual exploitation and abuse has increased from 5,962 to 6,230 between April 2021 to March 2022.
Darren Worth, service head at Childline, said: “Sexual exploitation is a complex crime and often when children describe what is happening in their relationship, they don’t realise they are being groomed and abused.
“Our counsellors have heard from children who have said they didn’t realise what they experienced in a relationship or friendship was wrong until they were much older, and some said at the time they thought their abuser was someone they could trust.”
He added others thought they were to blame for what happened and were scared about speaking out.
“This is why this campaign is so important as it’s essential all children and young people have an awareness of this issue and know that no matter what the circumstances are, sexual exploitation is never a child’s fault and there are people like Childline who can help.”
Anyone concerned about a child can call contact 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected] for help.
Visit childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety/full-story for more on the campaign.
