Youngsters still being exploited for sex, Barnados says

Nov 18 2009 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MORE help is needed for sexually exploited children in the UK, a report has found.

The ‘Whose Child Now’ report – backed by children’s charity Barnados – found a worrying trend of children being trafficked for sex, including in Kirklees.

But here steps are already being taken to tackle the problem.

Based on a survey of Barnardo’s 21 specialist sexual exploitation services, the report revealed around 80% of local authorities did not have any specialist work for sexually exploited children and young people.

The report also revealed more than 1,000 children had been referred to Barnardo’s after being sexually exploited over the course of last year (2007/8).

Barnados also revealed that of the 609 sexually exploited children and young people they are currently working with, 90 appear to have been trafficked within the UK – approximately one in six.

Recent research carried out in Yorkshire also identified children as young as 11 and 12 were being sexually exploited.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Martin Narey said: “We don’t know the true extent of this problem, but we do know, however hidden from the public eye it might be, it affects many thousands of children.

“We shouldn’t have to do this work. But men are not going to stop the predatory sexual abuse of girls and, sometimes, boys.

“No national official records are kept on the number of children exploited in this way and wherever local authorities have asked Barnardo’s to research a potential problem, a number of sexually exploited children have always been identified.”

Barnardo’s has now called for all local authorities and Trusts to commision research in a bid to tackle the problem.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said it is one of the few councils that did actively work to combat the abuse of children.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of the growing recognition of child sexual exploitation and for many years the council has worked closely with the Barnado’s missing children project.

“In response, we have recently appointed a Safeguarding Improvement Officer. They will be the single point of contact and work to strengthen our co-ordinated response to help children who are in these circumstances.”

Toni Johnston, Assistant Director of Barnardo’s Yorkshire, said: “We believe that sexual exploitation is becoming more organised and the criminals who abuse are more sophisticated.

“There are networks of older men grooming and trafficking children within the UK. It’s a growing phenomenon and it’s extremely difficult to police.

“Another area of concern is the frightening number of children who go missing repeatedly and are found to have been sexually exploited.

“It’s a huge risk for young people and we are worried that it’s still largely being ignored.

“Make no mistake, what’s happening here is abuse of children and we have a duty to protect them.”