7. Useful Links: London & Hertfordshire
London
• City of London CSE Team: Call 0800 800 5000, or 020 7332 3621 (business hours), or 020 8356 2710 (after hours).City of London
Hertfordshire
St Chris 7-Minute Safeguarding Briefing
1.
Definition
Child Sexual Exploitation involves situations where someone under 18 is manipulated or coerced into sexual activity in exchange for something money, gifts, affection, attention or through threats, coercion, or violence. It can involve online image-sharing, sexual grooming, or abuse of authority or vulnerability
2. The current scope of the problem in the UK
Estimated around 500,000 children experience sexual abuse each year in the UK, but only just over 100,000 offences are officially recorded indicating significant underreporting.
• Herts Constabulary – Halo Team: Call 101, ask for the Halo CSE coordinator.Hertfordshire Police
• County Council – CSE Toolkit for professionals and parents: Guidance and training.Hertfordshire Grid for Learning
6. Final Thoughts
CSE is a hidden and evolving threat. Staff must remain vigilant, informed, and ready to act. Early recognition and compassionate response can change a child's life trajectory. Collaboration between schools, police, support services is essential. Remember that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
5. What Staff Should Do If They Suspect CSE
1. Take concerns seriously don’t assume the child is imagining things.
2. Speak sensitively and safely let the child know it's not their fault.
3. Follow safeguarding policy report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
4. Contact authorities or services:
o Call 101 or 999 if the child is in immediate danger.
o In Hertfordshire, ask for the Halo CSE coordinator via 101 for specialist support.
5. Record carefully note observations with factual detail, time and date.
6. Maintain confidentiality share only with those directly involved in safeguarding.
7. Use a trauma-informed approach trust-building, strength-based, victim-centered.
CSE
In 2023, about 115,000+ crimes involving child sexual abuse and exploitation were recorded in England and Wales.
Around 4,228 group-based offences were identified, including 717 defined as sexual exploitation, based on Home Office updates.
A recent audit flagged the serious lack of reliable data on grooming gangs and CSE; the Home Office estimates 17,000 children become CSE victims annually , but data gaps remain
4. Warning Signs to Watch For Look out for:
• Frequent missing from home or school
• Unexplained physical injuries
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Attendance issues, noticeable drop in performance
• Online sexual bullying, receiving gifts, distancing from family
• Emotional withdrawal, poor mental health, self-harm, suicidal thoughts
• Additional signs: sudden mood shifts, new peer group (often older), secretive behavior, unexplained money or possessions
3. How Students Are Targeted and Affected
• Online grooming: Exploiters may use social media to flatter, manipulate, or coerce young people into sharing images or meeting in person.
• Power dynamics: Victims may be coerced by older peer or adult manipulators who exploit vulnerabilities (age, isolation, emotional needs).
• Group exploitation: Multiple offenders may coordinate to groom or exploit victims, often building trust before coercion.
• Impact: Students can suffer physical injury, mental trauma, substance misuse, absenteeism, sexual health issues, self-harm, or suicidality.