What exactly is Child Sexual Exploitation?

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is where vulnerable children and young people under the age of 18 are exploited into performing or taking part in sexual activities for which they - or somebody they know - receive some form of benefit. This could be food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, money, gifts or even just some affection.

Child Sexual Exploitation can begin without the victim's immediate knowledge. This is known as grooming. For example, a young person may be persuaded to post or send sexual photographs on the internet or via mobile phones without receiving any immediate benefit themselves.

In all cases of Child Sexual Exploitation, those doing the exploiting have some power or influence over their victim. This is usually due to a difference in age, gender, intelligence, wealth or physical strength.

Want to know more? A summary of Child Sexual Exploitation can be found here: http://www.nationalworkinggroup.org/what_is_child_sexual_exploitation.
This definition is used by the National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People.