Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 4: Specific support needs and concerns 165 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 Factors that may interact to create vulnerability • abuse, neglect or an early adverse experience • disrupted family life, including family breakdown and care experience • domestic abuse • bullying and peer pressure • absence from education • running from home or care • experience of exclusion or isolation, especially in transitional phases • drug and alcohol use • poverty or homelessness • poor health and low self-esteem • learning disabilities and autism • living with attitudes that normalise exploitation and violence in sexual relationships • access to adult pornography and experience of attitudes that normalise sexual violence • exploration of same-sex relationships and questioning of sexual orientation or gender identity can also result in children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) being more vulnerable to CSE Possible indicators of CSE • going missing from home or school during the day, overnight or longer • multiple callers/visitors including unknown adults/older young people • entering/leaving vehicles driven by unknown adults • evidence of/suspicion of physical or sexual assault • disclosure of assault followed by withdrawal of an allegation • unplanned pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) • peers involved in sexual exploitation • drug/alcohol use • isolation from peers/social networks • exclusion or unexplained absences from school or college • relationships with controlling adults • unexplained money or ‘gifts’, including expensive clothing, new phones and other items • frequenting areas known for adult prostitution • children under 13 years asking for sexual health advice • concerning use of mobile/internet/online devices (sending/receiving sexual images) • multiple phones or SIMs, being protective of a phone, abnormally high volume of secretive calls, change in behaviour as a result of phone contacts • depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts However, CSE can occur without obvious indicators, and careful assessment is needed to explore the meaning of the indicators above, which may be related to other issues.