People in Enfield are being encouraged to spot child sexual exploitation during a week of action around National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Raising Day.
Officers from Enfield Council will be working with colleagues from other local authorities and the Metropolitan Police from 18 March to ensure residents and businesses understand what Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is, how to recognise it, and how to get help if they spot it happening.
National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Raising Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services & Protection, Cllr Ayfer Orhan said: “Child Sexual Exploitation is a serious crime we and are absolutely committed to raising awareness and preventing it from happening.
“We hope the more people who know about the signs of CSE, the more people will report this abuse and help us to protect young people from becoming victims. “During this week we will be reinforcing our work with the police, schools, health services, transport and even local pubs to make everyone aware of exactly what they need to do if they suspect a child is being sexually exploited.”
CSE is child abuse and involves perpetrators grooming their victims in various ways, such as in person, via mobiles or online, to gain their trust before emotionally or sexually abusing them. It can take place in many forms, whether through a seemingly consensual relationship, or a young person being forced into sexual activity in return for some kind of payment, such as drugs, money, gifts or even protection and affection.
Enfield has been working proactively to tackle the problem. In 2015 the Council established a Single Point of Entry team, (SPOE), consisting of social workers and police officers to provide direct assistance to young people who have been abused and actively support the prosecution of child abusers.
Young people who frequently go missing from home or get involved in criminal activity can be particularly vulnerable to CSE, and so the team works hard to spot the links and connections to make sure help is provided quickly and effectively.
To tackle the problem of young people travelling across borough boundaries Enfield Council has worked closely with colleagues in other areas including Haringey to identify vulnerable young people and offer them support
Extensive training on CSE has been provided for people who work with young people at risk including police officers, teachers, school nurses, youth workers and staff working in residential units.
An information pack which includes leaflets and wallet cards about CSE are given to all young people who attend North Middlesex Hospital A&E.
Anyone who is concerned about the safety of a young person should call Enfield Council on 0208 379 5555 or email Email
