POLICE officers joined forces with the children’s services team from Swindon Borough Council yesterday to raise awareness around the issue of child sexual exploitation.

Today marks National Child Sexual Exploitation Day, an initiative aimed at encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and to adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children, or children developing inappropriate relationships with other children.

CSE is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity either in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.

The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

The council launched the website www.saysomethingswindon.co.uk last year to inform people about CSE and the signs to look out for, while a special online training programme has recently been launched for council staff and councillors.

Schools across Swindon will also be displaying CSE awareness messaging on computers and screens as well as sharing details of the campaign on social media.

Yesterday council social care staff joined officers from Wiltshire Police to visit hotels around Swindon to reinforce understanding of how to spot the signs of CSE.

Any child can be at risk of CSE including boys and girls of all background.

Children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be more vulnerable to CSE than their non-disabled peers.

Residents are being urged to familiarise themselves with the typical signs of child sexual exploitation and report anything suspicious about it they may see.

Leaflets containing tell-tell signs and specific information about CSE have also been sent to local taxi drivers, hoteliers, bus company employees and licensed premises in the town.

Fionuala Foley, Swindon Borough Council' s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We fully support National CSE Awareness Day.

“Child sexual exploitation is a despicable crime and we must do all we can to keep our vulnerable young people safe.

“Our online training programme is currently being rolled out to staff and councillors and we reaffirmed our commitment to protecting children in Swindon when cabinet adopted our new CSE prevention strategy last month.

“I would urge anyone in Swindon who hasn’t already done so to visit our website www.saysomethingswindon.co.uk so they can find out more information about CSE and discover what signs to look out for and who to report them to.”

Det Sgt Sean Tregunna added: “Child sexual exploitation is a serious form of abuse that affects vulnerable people in our communities – we’re determined to put a stop to it.

“This week we’re supporting a national awareness raising campaign that aims to educate the public about the signs of CSE and how they can report their concerns.

“Today we’ve been out in Swindon with partners, working to improve understanding of CSE in local businesses that may come into contact with victims or offenders; hotels for example.

“We’ve also been spreading awareness in local colleges and schools and this is something that will continue as part of our day to day activities so that we can protect young people.”

SPOTTING THE SIGNS

A new online training course has recently been launched for council staff and councillors.

Adver politics reporter Chris Humphreys completed it to see how it will help tackle the issue.

He said: “There a lot of misconceptions around CSE and who is at risk - people think it only affects kids in care or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“While those groups may be more at risk, the reality is that any child could become a victim. The more people that are aware of the warning signs, the more likely it is that early interventions can be made.

“The training course will give all council staff and councillors the confidence and knowledge to act more effectively as the eyes and ears for the police and social care teams.

“It is a welcome addition and one that should be enthusiastically embraced.”

HOW TO REACT

If people are concerned that a child is at immediate risk of CSE they should ring Wiltshire Police on 999.

If the child is not at immediate risk but people still have concerns and have some details about the child, such as their name or address and they live in the borough of Swindon, they should contact Swindon Borough Council’s Family Contact Point during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) on 01793 466903 or send an email to FCP@swindon.gov.uk

Otherwise people should call Wiltshire Police’s non-emergency line on 101 to report their concerns about possible sexual exploitation.