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YOUNG RUNAWAYS AND CHILDREN ABUSED THROUGH PROSTITUTION: WORKING GROUP CONSULTATION PAPER
EMERGING FINDINGS: SEXUAL EXPLOITATION THROUGH PROSTITUTION
Awareness Raising
1. Sexual exploitation of children through prostitution is abuse. We do not know how many children are abused in this way in Scotland and we lack information about the routes into sexual exploitation through prostitution and what works in supporting young people in exiting this situation. Children may not be visible on the streets and therefore it is difficult to gather meaningful data. However, we know that it is happening. Research should be commissioned by the Scottish Executive as a priority on the scope of the problem in Scotland to raise general awareness of the problem amongst professionals working with children.
2. The work undertaken by organisations in raising the public profile of this issue is to be welcomed. It is important to challenge the attitude that young people sexually exploited through prostitution have made a lifestyle choice. The focus of the criminal justice system should be targeted on adults who abuse and coerce children. Consideration should always be given to the possibility of taking criminal action against those adults.
3. Some young people may not recognise that they are in an exploitative relationship although this may be clear to those around them. It is important that professionals are aware of the potential indicators that a child may be involved in sexual exploitation through prostitution and treat any complaints or concerns from a child, parent or carer seriously.
4. Sexual exploitation through prostitution is not just an issue for girls. Boys and young men may also be sexually exploited through prostitution and it is important that professionals working with young people are aware of the risks to young men.
Services
5. It is important that the needs of children sexually exploited through prostitution are not viewed in isolation. Children are lured into sexual exploitation through prostitution because of a range of issues which may include abuse, family breakdown and conflict, low self-esteem, substance misuse and truancy. A range of interventions may therefore be required to address the child's underlying problems.
6. Children and young people may welcome the opportunity to discuss issues via a telephone helpline and consideration should be given to increasing the advertising of helplines in areas where vulnerable children may congregate. There is no single model of provision which will meet the needs of all children sexually exploited through prostitution. It is important that a range of services are available to young people which may include outreach support, sexual health services, support to address substance misuse, counselling and mental health services. Children sexually exploited through prostitution may be wary of statutory agencies and therefore voluntary sector agencies may have an important role as an initial point of contact.
7. Services for those sexually exploited through abuse often focus on the needs of girls. It is important to ensure that the needs of boys and young men are not overlooked.
"Well do you think I just woke up one day and thought 'I know, I'll be a rent boy today?' Thousands of things have happened to get me here - mum leaving, no-one at home, hanging around the pub late and waiting to go home with dad, having blokes try to touch us up, seeing boys do tricks and getting cash and fags. If you want to change me, you're probably going to have to do thousands of things too, to balance it out" 5 |
8. Some organisations are developing packages for use in schools on sexual exploitation and prostitution. If handled appropriately this can be a helpful way of exploring difficult issues with children and young people in a non-stigmatising way. It is important that teachers are provided with suitable materials to allow them to discuss these issues and to deal with any problems which may arise.
Guidance for Professionals
9. The planning and development of services for children sexually exploited through prostitution should be taken forward within the wider children's services planning process. It is important that professionals work in collaboration with each other across agency boundaries and in partnership with children and young people. Local protocols should be developed to support children sexually exploited through prostitution and to identify and agree the roles of different agencies. Guidance on the content and development of local protocols is attached. Progress reports on protocol development will be considered at the meeting of the Chairs of the Child Protection Committee scheduled for the end of 2003.
10. Professionals working with vulnerable young people should be aware of the risk that children may be targeted by adults within the community seeking to exploit them and in partnership with the police consider what preventative action should be taken.
Legislative Framework
11. Sexual offences against children are covered by both statute and common law and a child under 12 cannot legally consent to sexual activity. The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 contains a number of provisions that apply to children including relating to indecent behaviour and unlawful sexual intercourse. The primary aim of agencies should be to provide support to the child and to take action against the child's abusers. It is important therefore that clear information on the legal position on children abused though sexual exploitation should be provided to assist professionals working with children and young people. The Executive will issue this information with the final version of the Guidance for Professionals.
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