Within Cambridgeshire, child and adult social care are the responsibility of the County Council.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board is made up of representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Health (Integrated Care System (ICS)) and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
The Executive Safeguarding Partnership Board is the overarching countywide governance board for both the children’s safeguarding agenda and adults safeguarding agenda.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a priority for the Safeguarding Board and provides training and resources to support both professionals and the victims and their families to help them better deal with this atrocious crime.
What is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?
CSE is a form of Child Sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity
(a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
(b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.
The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.
Who is vulnerable to Child Sexual Exploitation?
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Any child in any community
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Children aged between 12 – 15 years are most at risk, although younger victims have been identified
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Gender: Though child sexual exploitation may be most frequently observed amongst young females, boys are also at risk
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Ethnicity: Child sexual exploitation affects all ethnic groups
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Heightened vulnerability factors: Sexual exploitation is often linked to other issues in the life of a child or young person, or in the wider community context.
Further information or to access help and support, please visit Child Sexual Exploitation - Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board