Young people under the age of 13 years cannot consent to sexual activity, where young people under the age of 13 years are involved in sexual activity this will always constitute a child protection concern and associated criminal offence. Sexually exploited young people should always be treated as the victims of abuse. Any challenging behaviours which they exhibit should be considered in that context and in relation to the extent to which they may increase resistance and vulnerability. Sexually exploited young people may have difficulty distinguishing between their own choices around sex and sexuality and the sexual activities they are coerced into. It is particularly important to consider the use of substances as it links to young people being coerced into sexual activity. These issues must be dealt with carefully and with sensitivity. The increasing capacity of children and young people to exercise choice is acknowledged in line with their age and understanding. Where decisions are taken to impede the young persons expressed wishes and feelings, these will be taken in line with the relevant statutory guidance (Deprivation of Liberty Standards). The approach to working with individual children and young people will be victim centred and dependent on the level of harm or risk identified for that young person. Consideration should always be given to the wider family through a whole family approach. For the methodology and approach to direct work see the CSE Team Direct Work Toolkit. Disrupting Abuse and Prosecution of Perpetrators We are committed to working in ways that maximise the successful prosecution of offenders. This involves supporting good investigative practice and robustly following lines of enquiry in ways which also maximise the safeguarding of children and young people. We also recognise and make use of the range of orders available to disrupt perpetrators of abuse, including the use of Abduction Notices, Sexual Risk Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. As a general principle, the team will seek to prosecute and disrupt the perpetrators of abuse rather than disrupt or secure the victims of abuse. Mapping and Information Sharing in the Borough The CSE Team collate information known to the team about CSE activity and involved individuals in the borough. This information should contribute to wider mapping and intelligence analysis. Other key sources of this information are: Emerging Police intelligence. Intelligence gathered though thematic collation of factors within children’s referrals, including the locations of CSE activity, key adults involved and specific children involved, including commonalities around particular community groups, agencies and services in contact with those children. Information obtained in relation missing notifications regarding children and young people.
Young people under the age of 13 years cannot consent to sexual activity, where young people under the age of 13 years are involved in sexual activity this will always constitute a child protection concern and associated criminal offence. Sexually exploited young people should always be treated as the victims of abuse. Any challenging behaviours which they exhibit should be considered in that context and in relation to the extent to which they may increase resistance and vulnerability. Sexually exploited young people may have difficulty distinguishing between their own choices around sex and sexuality and the sexual activities they are coerced into. It is particularly important to consider the use of substances as it links to young people being coerced into sexual activity. These issues must be dealt with carefully and with sensitivity. The increasing capacity of children and young people to exercise choice is acknowledged in line with their age and understanding. Where decisions are taken to impede the young persons expressed wishes and feelings, these will be taken in line with the relevant statutory guidance (Deprivation of Liberty Standards). The approach to working with individual children and young people will be victim centred and dependent on the level of harm or risk identified for that young person. Consideration should always be given to the wider family through a whole family approach. For the methodology and approach to direct work see the CSE Team Direct Work Toolkit. Disrupting Abuse and Prosecution of Perpetrators We are committed to working in ways that maximise the successful prosecution of offenders. This involves supporting good investigative practice and robustly following lines of enquiry in ways which also maximise the safeguarding of children and young people. We also recognise and make use of the range of orders available to disrupt perpetrators of abuse, including the use of Abduction Notices, Sexual Risk Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. As a general principle, the team will seek to prosecute and disrupt the perpetrators of abuse rather than disrupt or secure the victims of abuse. Mapping and Information Sharing in the Borough The CSE Team collate information known to the team about CSE activity and involved individuals in the borough. This information should contribute to wider mapping and intelligence analysis. Other key sources of this information are: Emerging Police intelligence. Intelligence gathered though thematic collation of factors within children’s referrals, including the locations of CSE activity, key adults involved and specific children involved, including commonalities around particular community groups, agencies and services in contact with those children. Information obtained in relation missing notifications regarding children and young people.