This year marks the 10th annual National Child Exploitation Awareness Day organised by the National Working Group. The charity works with professionals to raise awareness, help give young people a voice and to encourage everyone to work together to improve how we address and prevent this often-hidden crime.
There has been a significant rise in child exploitation cases in the UK in the last three years. Exploitation can happen to any child or young person, no matter where they live, who they are, or what their background is. It is a form of abuse that involves the use of power by adults or their peers to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. It can include sexual exploitation, county lines drug dealing, criminal activity, human trafficking and grooming.
Services for Young People is committed to protecting young people from harm and building a safer future. Our youth work projects in all districts of Hertfordshire support young people to stay safe, boosting confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and providing guidance on how to find additional support when needed.
We offer two specialised programmes focused on supporting young people who are at risk of exploitation:
Our Reach Out programme provides one-to-one or groupwork support to young people aged 11 to 17, addressing behaviour which may place them at risk of harm. This could include going missing, being involved in substance use or having inappropriate relationships. A dedicated SfYP Youth Worker or Personal Adviser will guide the young person to understand risk, explore healthy relationships, make positive choices and set boundaries.
Aimed at young people aged 13 to 17, Healthy Relationships is an SfYP groupwork programme that raises young people’s awareness of child sexual exploitation. It encourages support from peers and other local services. Tailored to meet individual needs, the programme uses engaging activities to help young people explore their relationships and make safe, informed decisions.
Professionals, parents/carers or young people can contact their local team to join one of these projects or make a referral.
