Child Exploitation
Our Missing and Exploitation team is part of our Together for Families Service.
Child exploitation happens when a person or group uses their power over a child or young person to pressure, trick, or persuade them into taking part in sexual or criminal activities. Criminal exploitation is also known as ‘County Lines’ and both forms can be happening at the same time.
The activity may be done in exchange for something the child needs or wants such as money, gifts, accommodation, affection or status, or just for the benefit of the person doing the exploitation, such as money or status.
A child may still be a victim of exploitation even if it looks like they agreed to the activity. Children cannot truly consent when someone is exploiting them.
Exploitation is abuse. It is a crime and a serious safeguarding concern. If you think a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Children as young as 10 years old, and sometimes younger, can be exploited. This can happen online, in person, or both.
To see local and national support services that help children and families affected by exploitation, visit the Reading Family Information Service page which lists specialist services.
For information about Prevent, or to report online material that promotes terrorism or extremism, visit Reading Borough Council’s dedicated Prevent page.
Would you recognise if a child or young person is being exploited?
The below short film is part of a series of bite-sized learning videos which explores the issue of child exploitation, helping parents and carers be more aware and know how to respond.
Children who have been reported missing
When a child is reported missing this can sometimes be an indicator of, or a sign of vulnerability to, child exploitation.
If a child or young person’s whereabouts are unknown and no-one can get hold of them, it is important that parents/carers/family members or trusted adult report them missing. This can be done by calling the police on 101.
Once the child/young person has returned, the police will undertake a safe and well check, and then an independent return interview will be offered.
The return interview provides the child/young person with the opportunity to discuss, in confidence, anything of concern that is going on in their life either at home/care or out in the community.
Please note, when a parent/carer/family member or trusted adult is aware of where the child or young person is but is concerned it is not a safe environment, it is still appropriate to report them as missing.
Click the image to open or download the postcard
Online safety
The internet and social media provides many opportunities to target young or vulnerable individuals. To learn more about internet safety look at Reading Borough Council’s online safety web page.
The below short film is part of a series of bite-sized learning videos which explores the issue of online harm, to help parents and carers be aware and know how to respond.
Talk to your child about it
Talk to your child about online safety. Click the button below to access support via the NSPCC to help you start the conversation.
Report concerns about a child
Telephone: 0118 937 3641 (Option 1. Office hours only)
01344 786543 (Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team)