Devon & Cornwall Police Mark National Child Exploitation Awareness Day

On National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, March 18, 2024, Devon & Cornwall Police are emphasising their support for the crucial effort to bring to light the pervasive issue of child exploitation.

The day is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the exploitation of children, urging everyone to be vigilant, recognise, and speak out against abuse, while promoting a zero-tolerance stance towards inappropriate relationships between adults and children, as well as peer-to-peer exploitation and abuse.

Devon & Cornwall Police encourage the public to report any instances of child exploitation. Reports can be made directly through their official website at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. For those preferring to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers is available at 0800 555 111. In situations where someone is in immediate danger, it is advised to call 999 without hesitation.

Further support and advice can be sought from the NSPCC by calling 0808 800 5000. Additionally, comprehensive information about child exploitation can be found on the NWG charity’s website at www.stop-ce.org and The Children’s Society’s dedicated page at www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/child-criminal-exploitation-and-county-lines.

The police stress that any child can fall victim to exploitation, which can occur in any location, both online and offline, affecting both males and females. The forms of exploitation include sexual abuse (CSE – Child Sexual Exploitation), forced labour (Modern Slavery), being coerced into laundering criminal money (CFE – Child Financial Exploitation), and being manipulated into transporting drugs (CCE – Child Criminal Exploitation).

The public is urged to stay alert to the signs of exploitation:

• Children travelling alone, especially during school hours, late at night, or frequently.
• Appearing lost or in unfamiliar areas.
• Exhibiting anxiety, fear, anger, or any concerning behaviour.
• Possessing multiple phones.
• Carrying large amounts of cash.
• Showing signs of drug or alcohol influence.
• Being controlled or directed by another individual.
• Accompanied by older individuals.
• Seen begging in public spaces.

Devon & Cornwall Police’s commitment to raising awareness on National Child Exploitation Awareness Day is part of a broader call to action for the community to recognise, report, and prevent the abuse and exploitation of children in all its forms.