Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 4: Specific support needs and concerns 164 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 4.193 Child criminal exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child into any criminal activity, in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator, or through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited, even if the activity appears consensual. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact – it can also occur through the use of technology. The criminal exploitation of children is not confined to county lines but can also include other forms of criminal activity such as theft, acquisitive crime, knife crimes and other forms of criminality. CCE requires a child protection response. Further information may be found in the section on CCE below. 4.194 CSE is often hidden . As with other forms of sexual abuse, the process of disclosure is rarely a discrete event, and patterns of disclosure and retraction are common. It may take many years, or may never happen. Fear, anticipation of stigma, reprisal, loss and shame that might follow disclosure intersect differently for each child. They are among the most common barriers to early recognition and help, alongside feelings of entrapment and helplessness. Shame and fear may be more pronounced within some cultural groups. Boys who have been abused often struggle to share their experience throughout life. Both containment and disclosure can be profoundly disturbing for the child and others closely affected. A trauma-informed approach to assessment and support is essential at all stages. 4.195 Sexual exploitation can occur through digital technology , in direct contact, or through a combination of both. Its occurrence often goes unrecognised and victims can feel isolated in plain sight. CSE of teenagers is more common than victimisation of young children. 4.196 CSE may be perpetrated by: • family members, including being sold for sex • older adults • peer networks, within which abuse of power may occur • gangs • criminal networks 4.197 Digital technologies are often a vector for: • grooming online for sexual abuse offline • children viewing abusive images of children • selling children online for abuse offline • making abusive images of children • sharing and viewing abusive images of children • access to chat lines via the internet, social media, and online gaming platforms or mobile phones • sharing of intimate images (See further guidance in this section .) 4.198 It is the shared responsibility of professionals, parents and carers to support children’s resilience, security and safe use of online technologies. Recommended links and resources may be found in the reference section.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA4NTgz