Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution - Supplementary Guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children

Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution - Supplementary Guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children

Description: "Although not always prominent or visible, children are involved in prostitution across England and Wales. It is a tragedy for any child to become involved in prostitution. It exposes them to abuse and assault, and may even threaten their lives. It deprives them of their childhood, self-esteem and opportunities for good health, education and training. It results in their social exclusion.

Children involved in prostitution should be treated primarily as the victims of abuse, and their needs require careful assessment. They are likely to be in need of welfare services and, in many cases, protection under the Children Act 1989

Whilst there is no single route through which children become involved in prostitution, we know that the most common factors are vulnerability and low self-esteem. Vulnerable children are identified and targeted by those who abuse children through prostitution irrespective of whether a child is living with their own family, looked after away from home or has run away. This Guidance establishes that the primary law enforcement effort must be against abusers and coercers who break the law and who should be called to account for their abusive behaviour.

The Government recognises that the vast majority of children do not voluntarily enter prostitution: they are coerced, enticed or are utterly desperate. We need to ensure that local agencies act quickly and sensitively in the best interests of the children concerned. It is important that proper prevention, protection and re-integration strategies are put in place to ensure good outcomes for these children. All services must be able to recognise situations where children might be involved, or are at risk of becoming involved, in prostitution. They should treat such children as children in need, who may be suffering, or may be likely to suffer, significant harm.

This Guidance is for police, health, social services, education and all other agencies and professionals that may work with children about whom there are concerns that they are involved in prostitution. It sets out an inter-agency approach, based on local protocols developed within the framework of Working Together to Safeguard Children (Department of Health et al, 1999; National Assembly for Wales, 2000), to address this type of abuse. Its aim is to both safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and to encourage the investigation and prosecution of criminal activities by those who coerce children into and abuse them through prostitution. "

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