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YOUNG RUNAWAYS AND CHILDREN ABUSED THROUGH PROSTITUTION: WORKING GROUP CONSULTATION PAPER

Introduction

1. All children deserve the best possible start in life. They deserve to be cared for and to be protected from harm. Many children will, however, experience pressures in their lives - from within their family or from their peers and wider community. For some children these pressures will increase the possibility of damaging behaviour and negative outcomes such as self-harm, substance misuse, sexual exploitation through prostitution and running away.

2. Research has shown that one in nine (11%) children in Scotland ran away or were forced to leave home before the age of 16. ¹ We know that children are sexually exploited through prostitution across Scotland. We do not know how many children are involved but we know that it is happening. The Scottish Executive has established a Working Group on Young Runaways and Children Abused through Prostitution. The Working Group included representatives from Barnardos' Scotland; Aberlour Child Care Trust; ChildLine Scotland; the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland; Children's Panel Chair's Group; Community Education Managers Scotland; Crown Office; Scottish Children's Reporter Administration; Child Protection Committees; The Big Step Social Inclusion Partnership; and the Association of Directors of Social Work. The Working Group has considered support for children, guidance for professionals and effective early intervention to prevent abuse and exploitation before it happens.

3. This paper outlines:

• why the needs of young runaways and children involved in sexual exploitation through prostitution are important;
• the preventative work which is being taken forward to address the underlying issues which may increase a child's vulnerability; and
• the provision of services to support children and young people.
• The paper seeks views on:
• the emerging findings of the Working Group; and
• the draft guidance on the development of local protocols for professionals working with children.

Children are at the heart of the Executive's agenda and the work on young runaways and children sexually exploited through prostitution should not be seen in isolation.

Why are these issues important?

4. Running away puts young people in danger and is often a sign of underlying problems in a young person's life. Sometimes these problems may be very severe such as physical violence or abuse. In some instances it may already be clear that a child is in need but in many instances these problems may be hidden. The fact that a child has run away should alert agencies to the fact that this child may require support.

5. We know that running away is associated with a number of short-term risks including sleeping rough, involvement in crime, sexual exploitation and substance misuse. There are also implications for the long term outcomes for children who run away in terms of increased levels of homelessness, social exclusion and unemployment. These long term outcomes could be addressed if we identify young people at risk and provide them with appropriate support.

6. Sexual exploitation through prostitution is abuse. We do not know how many children and young people are being sexually exploited through prostitution in Scotland. This is largely a hidden problem and these children may not be visible on the streets. Some young people may not recognise that they are in an exploitative relationship. We need to raise awareness amongst young people, professionals working with children and the general public. Good progress has already been made in tackling the misconception that children sexually exploited through prostitution have made a free choice about their lifestyle.

Prevention

7. The majority of children who run away from home do so because of problems at home ² although personal problems and problems at school are also significant issues for many children. There is a lack of information on why children are drawn into prostitution. However, children who are sexually exploited through prostitution are likely to be experiencing other problems. These problems may include parental disharmony, physical violence, relationship problems, sexual abuse, bullying, truancy or substance misuse (either by the child or by a member of their family).

8. It is important that the needs of young runaways and children sexually exploited through prostitution are not seen in isolation. It is important that action is taken to address all of these underlying issues that can increase a child's vulnerability and potentially lead to their involvement in high-risk activity. This preventative work is not solely about preventing running away or sexual exploitation through prostitution but is about supporting all children and young people and seeking, through early intervention, to prevent a range of negative outcomes. The Executive is supporting work to address many of the issues identified as trigger factors and supporting better integrated delivery of children's services throughout Scotland to ensure that every child has the best opportunities to prosper. The Changing Children's Services Fund is a catalyst for change in enabling local authorities, health boards and voluntary organisations to work together to deliver better outcomes for the most vulnerable and deprived children.

9. Examples of work to address some of these underlying issues includes:

10. Schools have an important role to play in supporting children and young people. The move towards delivering health and social advice in a universal setting such as a school is a positive development. It is important that targeted services for children and young people are delivered in a non-stigmatising way. Awareness of the underlying issues which can lead to vulnerability can also be addressed through Personal and Social Education Programmes.

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