Avon and Somerset Constabulary

1. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Somerset Child Safeguarding Board The response to Child Sexual Expolitation D/Supt Geoff Wessell Avon and Somerset Constabulary Cath Knowles Somerset County Council Children Services

2. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Child Sexual Exploitation • The National Picture • The South West Picture • Somerset Picture • The next steps

3. Avon and Somerset Constabulary National Perspective 16,500 children in England are at HIGH RISK 85% of victims live with their families Boys are victims as well – around 8% Average age of Victims is 15 90% of victims are White Lone White Men are most common Offenders

4. Avon and Somerset Constabulary The South West Perspective • Identification or labelling as CSE not straightforward • Other agencies may hold information • Offender profiling is not straightforward • Not known whether related to organised crime group • Victims often unaware they are groomed or exploited

5. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Somerset Perspective • 2 Major Investigations in Bristol • But it isn’t happening in leafy quiet Somerset is it?

6. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Somerset Perspective YES IT IS RIGHT NOW

7. Avon and Somerset Constabulary What is Child Sexual Exploitation? • Sexual Abuse • Exploitative situations and relationships • Manipulation and/or coercion into sexual activity • Use of technology • Imbalance of power • Violence, coercion and intimidation are common • “It’s consensual”

8. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Signs of Grooming & Sexual Exploitation

9. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Targeting the Offenders in a systematic way: ONLINE OFFLINE / CONTACT Type ‘A’ targets victim vulnerability Type ‘B’ sexual interest in children Street Gangs Lone Wolf

10. Avon and Somerset Constabulary ACPO National CSE Action Plan • Prevent - public confidence & awareness • Protect - protecting, supporting & safeguarding victims and managing risk • Pursue - effective investigations and bringing offenders to justice • Partnerships - tackling Child Sexual Exploitation • Intelligence and performance monitoring • Leadership • Learning & development

11. Avon and Somerset Constabulary The Somerset Safeguarding Board Response • November 2011 – Localised grooming report • Identified the care home issue • Peer Review April 2013 – recognised there was performance data but not a shared responsibility to tackle • May 2013 Child Sexual Exploitation Sub-group up and running • June 2013 – OFSTED recognised the issue • “Sexual Offending by Young Offenders” • CSE Maracs

12. Avon and Somerset Constabulary So What Do we need to DO? • Establish a CSE Strategic Steering Group reporting to the LSCB • Action Plan to include: • Recommend Strategic Protocol to LSCB (by 31/12/13. Owner GW / CK) • Develop strategic action plan building on national / regional / local • Embed the CSE MARAC process • Implement internal & external communication strategies • Deploy CSE risk assessment / screening tool • Support Single Agency developments (eg. Police tactical investigative approach) • Coordinate with National Campaigns (eg Dangerous Loverboy) • Understand the Performance and Intelligence Picture, commissioning as necessary • Coordinate Training & awareness – Training subs, e-safety subs etc. • Tie in with Avon & Somerset Strategic CSE group

13. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Somerset CSE Strategic Steering Group proposed membership Head of PPU Avon & Somerset Police Operations Manager Somerset CSC Public Health Health Safeguarding Lead Education Community Safety Partnership Licensing Communications and Media E-safety group chair Voluntary Sector / NSPCC / Barnados Troubled Families Targeted Youth MASH / SCU Police / Missing person coordinator

14. Avon and Somerset Constabulary Child Sexual Exploitation A “hidden” form of abuse It’s happening now It’s happening in your patch You only have to look for it to find it.