Child sex exploitation - The Risks
Any young person can be at risk of being exploited, however, there are a number of factors that can increase the risk.
While this list is not exhaustive, these can include children or young people who:
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Have a disrupted family life or live in a chaotic or dysfunctional family or where there is a history of domestic or child abuse within the family.
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Have poor mental health.
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Have social or learning difficulties.
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Misuse alcohol and/or drugs.
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Have experienced or are experiencing problematic parenting.
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Have parents who misuse drugs or alcohol.
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Have parents with health problems.
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Are young carers.
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Have unsupervised use of social networking and chat rooms/sites.
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Experience social exclusion.
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Live in care, hostels or bed and breakfast accommodation.
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Are homeless.
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Have been or are excluded from mainstream education.
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Are involved in gangs.
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Are friends or attend school with others who are sexually exploited.
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Do not have friends in the same age group.
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Are being bullied.
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Have experienced recent bereavement or loss.
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Have association with gangs through relatives, peers or intimate relationships or live in an area where there is gang culture.
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Are unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to confide in their family about their sexual orientation.