FOCUS ON…

CONTEXTUAL SAFEGUARDING

WRITTEN by SERVICES FOR EDUCATION

In this edition around CONTEXTUAL SAFEGUARDING, we’ll look at:

  • Contextual Safeguarding, Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation – what do these terms mean and what do they have to do with children?
  • Recognising the red flags – what behaviours and signs do you need to look out for?
  • Recruitment and Grooming – how can we teach children about these dangers without scaremongering?
  • Questions, worries or concerns? -where can you go to access help and information if you suspect your child may be involved or at risk.
  • Resources and Signposts – where to look for help, advice and guidance.

CONTEXTUAL SAFEGUARDING, CHILD CRIMINAL AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Contextual safeguarding is a child protection approach that focuses on the wider context of a child’s life beyond their home environment, this includes their school, community and online activities. Contextual safeguarding recognises that children can be harmed in various ways, not just by their parents or carers.

These topics may sound particularly scary or even ‘off the radar’ for younger children, but it is essential to talk about contextual safeguarding for primary children because they are reaching a stage of development where they are becoming more independent and spending more time outside of the home. They are also increasingly using the internet and social media, which can expose them to different risks.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is when children and young people are manipulated or coerced into committing criminal activities. This can take many forms, including:

County Lines: Children and young people are groomed and exploited to transport drugs and money between different locations, often from urban to rural areas.

Criminal exploitation: Children and young people are groomed and exploited to commit other crimes, such as theft, robbery, or fraud.

Money laundering: Children are involved in processes of disguising the illegal origin of money to make it appear legitimate.

Forced labour: Any work or service that people are forced to do against their will, usually under threat of punishment, this is often to ‘pay off’ a real or imagined debt.

 Child sexual exploitation (CSE) happens when a child or young person is coerced, manipulated, or deceived into sexual activity in exchange for things they may need or want, like gifts, drugs, money, status, and affection.

A child who is sexually exploited may be persuaded or forced to:

  • Send or post sexually explicit images of themselves
  • Film or stream sexual activities
  • Have sexual conversation

Once an abuser has obtained images, videos, or copies of conversations, they may:

  • Use threats and blackmail to coerce the child into further sexual activity
  • Share or circulate the material online

Gangs may use sexual exploitation to:

  • Exert power and control
  • Initiate new members
  • Use sexual violence as a weapon


RECOGNISING THE RED FLAGS

While it’s less common for primary-aged children to be directly targeted for sexual exploitation, it’s important to be aware of the risks and signs. If you notice any of these changes in your child’s behaviour, it’s important to talk to them and seek professional help:

  • Sudden changes in mood or behaviour: Your child may become withdrawn, secretive, or aggressive- this may be out of character for them.
  • Unexplained gifts or possessions: Your child may suddenly have new items in their possession, these may be of some value such as phones/devices, new trainers or jewellery. They may not share with you where these came from.
  • Missing school or change in academics: Your child may want to stay off school or complain that they are ill, so they get sent home. They could also become more disengaged at school, which can impact their learning.
  • Spending time with older people: Your child may begin to hang around with older children, whether in school or outside of school. This is not automatically a red flag but can be if combined with other behaviours listed.
  • Harmful sexual behaviour: Your child may act out sexually or seem to have knowledge of sex/sex acts beyond their chronological age.
  • Substance abuse: Your child may be using or trying to access drugs or alcohol.

Some of these signs can sound really scary and we may not want to believe that they could happen to our children, but we do need to be realistic when understanding the risk and spotting the signs. Acting quickly and accessing the help needed can be really important and, in some cases, can save lives.


RECRUITMENT AND GROOMING – TEACHING CHILDREN TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE

Exploiters and gangs will often use a range of tactics to recruit child and young people into illegal activity. The main methods include grooming, coercion and intimidation and manipulation. So how can you keep your children safe and teach them to make safe decisions?

There are some factors that can increase a child’s risk of being recruited into gangs, these can include those who have been excluded from school, children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND),  those who have experienced abuse or neglect before or those who have difficult home lives, children suffering with poverty or mental health issues and those living in areas where gangs are active.

It’s important to be aware of the tactics that exploiters may use and to talk to your child about the signs and risks of exploitation.

Recruitment tactics What can you do?
Grooming: Exploiters use a process called grooming to manipulate children into exploitative situations. They start by building trust and friendship with the child, often targeting those who are vulnerable or isolated. They may offer gifts, money, or other rewards to entice the child. Open communication: Talk openly with your child about relationships, trust, and safety.

Set boundaries: Teach your child that it’s okay to say no to anyone, even adults they know.

Encourage open dialogue: Remind your child that they should never keep secrets, especially if they feel uncomfortable.
Coercion and Intimidation: Exploiters may also use coercion and intimidation to control children. They may threaten the child or their family with violence if they don’t comply with their demands. Additionally, they may use blackmail by threatening to release private information or images if the child doesn’t do as they’re told. Explain what coercion is: Ensure children understand that coercion is when someone uses pressure, threats, or force to make you do something you don’t want to do and that no matter what- they do not have to engage with this.

Discuss intimidation: Explain what intimidation is and give some examples so children can recognise this is real-life situations.

Remind them of the support available: Let them know that they can be protected by yourself, adults in school and the police- so they must not be afraid to ask for help.
Manipulation: Exploiters also use manipulation tactics to control children. They may use emotional manipulation to control the child’s thoughts and feelings, making them feel guilty, ashamed, or loved only by the exploiter. Additionally, they may use gaslighting to make the child doubt their own perceptions and memories, making it difficult for them to recognize the abuse. Explain what manipulation is: Share the definition and give children examples so that they understand what this might look like.

Discuss common tactics: Explain tactics like guilt-tripping, gaslighting, and love-bombing.

Encourage critical thinking: Teach your child to question things and trust their instincts. Remind them to always ask for help if they are concerned.

In all situations, reassure your children, let them know that you’ll believe and support them if they feel unsafe and that they won’t get into trouble for telling the truth. Having these open and honest conversations will help to build up trust so that your child will know to come to you if they are worried.

If your child confides in you about sexual exploitation, here’s what you should do:

  • Listen carefully: Pay attention to what they’re saying, listen without judgement.
  • Gather relevant information: Take note of any relevant details that your child shares- this could be names, locations or other people involved.
  • Reassure them: Let them know they’ve done the right thing by telling you and that it’s not their fault, reassure them that you are there to keep them safe.
  • Avoid confrontation: Don’t confront the alleged abuser yourself, this could put yourself or your child in further danger.
  • Report the incident: Contact the appropriate authorities, such as the police, the school or children’s social care, as soon as possible.
  • Stay calm and supportive: Tell your child that you’ll take their concerns seriously and do everything you can to help.


QUESTIONS, WORRIES OR CONCERNS?

Contextual Safeguarding is a huge topic, encompassing lots of different illegal practices- which of course can be very worrying for parents. But please don’t think you are alone in dealing with this- there is always help at hand.

Schools:

All staff in schools will have had training around Contextual Safeguarding and will also be looking out for the signs and symptoms. Lessons will be planned into the curriculum in an age-appropriate way covering topics such as consent, positive relationships, online safety and community safety. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in your child’s school will have links to the local Contextual Safeguarding Hub as well as the local police force and services within your locality.

If you have any questions or are worried about your child, speak with the DSL and they can support you with accessing relevant help.

The Police:

There are officers and support officers within every police force tasked with protecting children and young people from exploitation. They will liaise with schools where necessary as well as coming in to do assemblies and workshops with older children. If you are concerned about your child or illegal activity in your area, you can speak with your local police force by dialling 101.

Local Contextual Safeguarding Hub:

Every local authority will have a Contextual Safeguarding Hub or team. These professionals work very closely with schools and the Police to highlight areas of risk, disrupt perpetrators and keep children safe. You can find more information about these on your local safeguarding childrens partnership website.


SUPER RESOURCES FOR YOU USE AND TO SHARE

WHERE TO FIND SUPPORT

  • The Waiting Room – A central place which brings together websites, who provide help and support across Birimngham and Solihull: the-waitingroom.org

Page Last Modified:  18/11/2024 09:55