Exploitation
Exploitation can be evident in various forms, including forced labour and modern slavery; domestic servitude; forced marriage, trafficking or organ harvesting.
If you or someone you know is experiencing grooming or exploitation, you should visit the safeguarding or speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.
Child Criminal Exploitation
Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes. This could include being drawn into a gang.
It's not illegal for a young person to be in a gang – there are different types of ‘gang’ and not every ‘gang’ is criminal or dangerous. However, gang membership can be linked to illegal activity, particularly organised criminal gangs involved in trafficking, drug dealing and violent crime.
If you witness or experience any such exploitation, whilst it may be difficult to talk to someone but we would encourage you to please talk to a family member or a member of staff at School or visit the safeguarding office.
We will talk through support which may be helpful for you.
Other places for support:
Violence Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU)
Bedfordshire VERU provides specific support for young people, families and carers.
Website: https://bedsveru.org/
Fearless
This is the strand of Crimestoppers for young people. 100% anonymous.
Available: any day, any time.
Phone: 0800 555 111
Website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/what-is-fearless
NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover.
Available: Monday to Friday - 10am - 8pm
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they're given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused.
Children and young people can be trafficked into or within the UK to be sexually exploited. They're moved around the country and abused by being forced to take part in sexual activities, often with more than one person. Young people in gangs can also be sexually exploited.
Sometimes abusers use violence and intimidation to frighten or force a child or young person, making them feel as if they've no choice. They may lend them large sums of money they know can't be repaid or use financial abuse to control them.
Anybody can be a perpetrator of CSE, no matter their age, gender or race. The relationship could be framed as friendship, someone to look up to or romantic. Children and young people who are exploited may also be used to 'find' or coerce others to join groups.
If you witness or experience any such exploitation, whilst it may be difficult to talk to someone but we would encourage you to please talk to a family member, a member of staff at School or visit the safeguarding office.
We will talk through support which may be helpful for you.
Other places for support:
Luton Children’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Available: Monday – Friday – 9am – 5pm
Telephone: 01582 547653
If you require support on Saturday or Sunday, please call 0300 300 8123.
Bedfordshire Police
Available any day, any time.
Telephone: 999 or 101;
Luton Police Station can also be contacted on 01582 401 212.
Azalea
Azalea is a Luton based charity which aims to end to the social injustice of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
Available: Monday - Friday – 9am – 5pm
Phone: 01582 733200
Email: info@azalea.org.uk
Website: https://www.azalea.org.uk/
Faiths Against Child Sexual Exploitation (FACES)
A Christian-Muslim partnership in Luton, working to build resilience within faith communities against CSE and other forms of harm.
Email: admin@faces.org.uk
Website: https://faces.org.uk/
Link to Change
Link to Change uphold a vision whereby everyone can live free from exploitation.
They are based in wider-Bedfordshire but will be able to advise on Luton support.
Available: Monday - Friday – 9am – 5pm
Phone: 01480 474974
Email: info@linktochange.org.uk
Website: https://www.linktochange.org.uk/
Luton Children's Services
Statutory children’s service support from Luton Borough Council.
Phone: Monday - Friday (9 am - 5 pm) 01582 547653 or Saturday & Sunday - 0300 300 8123
Email: MASH@luton.gov.uk
Website: https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/Health_and_social_care/safeguarding/safeguarding_children/Pages/Child-sexual-exploitation.aspx