ATAS recognises the need to take a proactive approach in order to protect young people that are at risk of, or exposed to sexual exploitation. Staff supports young people to develop their knowledge and skills around making positive choices about relationships, sexual health and provide them with information about how to avoid situations that could put them at risk of Sexual Exploitation. ATS work collaboratively with all agencies and believes that working in partnership is crucial to tackling the sexual exploitation of young people.
What is CSE
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse in which a person(s), of any age takes advantage of a power imbalance to force or entice a child into engaging in sexual activity in return for something received by the child and/or those perpetrating or facilitating the abuse. As with other forms of child sexual abuse, the presence of perceived consent does not undermine the abusive nature of the act.
As noted in the definition above, CSE is a form of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse encompasses ‘any act that involves the child in any activity for the sexual gratification of another’. CSE clearly falls within this, and like any other form of sexual abuse can include both contact and non-contact sexual activity, in person or via virtual means.