Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a serious form of child sexual abuse that can affect children and young people of any age, gender or background. It often involves manipulation, power imbalances and coercion, and can take place both online and offline.
This article explains what child sexual exploitation is, how it happens, the signs to look out for, and what to do if you're worried about a child. It also explores who may be more vulnerable, the impact exploitation can have, and the steps individuals and communities can take to prevent harm.
What Is Child Sexual Exploitation?
Updated January 2026
Child sexual exploitation is when someone takes advantage of a child or young person (under 18) for sexual purposes. CSE involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people receive something - for example food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, gifts, money or in some cases simply affection - as a result of engaging in sexual activities.
The key element is the imbalance of power. Perpetrators use their authority, age, resources or circumstances to manipulate children into sexual activity. This can include:
Sexual touching or assault
Being forced or manipulated into sexual acts
Being photographed or filmed in sexual ways
Being made to watch sexual acts or images
Being trafficked for sexual purposes
Importantly, a child cannot consent to their own exploitation - even if they believe they are in a loving relationship or are receiving gifts or favors. Genuine consent is impossible when power dynamics are unequal.
How Child Sexual Exploitation Happens
CSE rarely happens suddenly. Perpetrators typically use a process called grooming - building trust and emotional connection before introducing sexual content or contact. Grooming can take weeks, months or even years.
Common patterns include:
The "boyfriend model" - where the perpetrator forms what appears to be a romantic relationship with the young person, creating emotional dependency before introducing sexual exploitation. This model accounts for a significant proportion of CSE cases identified by police.
The "party model" - where young people are introduced to parties or gatherings with drugs and alcohol, then encouraged or pressured into sexual activity with multiple perpetrators.
Peer-on-peer exploitation - where children or young people are exploited by others close to their own age, often within existing friendship or school groups.
Online grooming - where perpetrators use social media, gaming platforms or chat apps to build relationships before requesting sexual images or arranging to meet offline.
Criminal exploitation connection - CSE is increasingly linked to other forms of exploitation including county lines drug trafficking, where young people are sexually exploited by those controlling them for criminal purposes.
Joy* is a 22-year-old from Nigeria who was trafficked to Italy for prostitution when she was 16. The owner of the hair salon where Joy* worked convinced her to travel to Italy to work as a babysitter. Once in Italy, Joy* was forced to work as a sex worker. After two years, she finally managed to escape with the help of a taxi driver, who bought her a train ticket to another city and a phone.
Who Is at Risk of CSE?
Any child can experience sexual exploitation, but research shows certain factors increase vulnerability.
Vulnerability factors include:
Experience of neglect, abuse or family breakdown
Time spent away from home or in care settings
Homelessness or housing instability
Special educational needs or disabilities
Substance misuse (their own or family members')
Poverty or economic hardship
Previous trauma or abuse
Children in care are disproportionately affected - while children in care represent less than 1% of the child population, they account for a much higher proportion of identified CSE cases.
However, exploitation crosses all social, economic and ethnic boundaries. Middle-class children, those from stable families, and children with strong support networks can also be targeted. Perpetrators specifically seek out moments of vulnerability - friendship struggles, family arguments, academic pressure - to establish connection.
Signs of Child Sexual Exploitation
Recognising CSE can be difficult because many signs mirror typical adolescent behaviour. However, clusters of concerning changes, particularly sudden shifts in behaviour, warrant attention.
Behavioural Signs
Acquiring money, clothes, mobile phones or other items without explanation
Spending time with new friends or significantly older people
Being secretive about whereabouts or who they're with
Staying out late or going missing from home or care
Unexplained absences from school
Appearing frightened of certain people or places
Collecting multiple mobile phones or SIM cards
Using sexual language or displaying sexual knowledge inappropriate for their age
Physical and Emotional Signs
Sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy
Physical injuries with inconsistent explanations
Unexplained gifts or possessions
Mood swings, anxiety or depression
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Substance misuse
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Withdrawal from family, friends or activities they once enjoyed
Many young people experiencing exploitation don't recognise themselves as victims. They may defend the perpetrator, believe they're in a genuine relationship, or feel too ashamed or frightened to seek help.
Online Child Sexual Exploitation
The digital landscape has created new pathways for exploitation. Online child sexual abuse has increased significantly, with perpetrators using social media, gaming platforms and encrypted messaging to target children.
Online CSE includes:
Building relationships through gaming, social media or chat platforms
Requesting or coercing sexual images or videos ("self-generated abuse material")
Live-streaming abuse
Blackmailing children by threatening to share intimate images ("sextortion")
Arranging offline meetings following online grooming
Children may not recognise online relationships as potentially harmful. Perpetrators present themselves as peers, offering friendship, understanding or romance. The anonymity of online spaces makes it easier for adults to misrepresent their age and intentions.
The Impact of Child Sexual Exploitation
The effects of CSE extend far beyond the immediate abuse. Survivors often experience:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depression and anxiety
Difficulty forming trusting relationships
Substance misuse
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Educational disruption and limited opportunities
Homelessness or housing instability
Further victimisation or exploitation
Physical health impacts can include sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and physical injuries. The shame and stigma surrounding CSE often prevents young people from accessing healthcare or support.
However, with the right support, recovery is possible. Early intervention, trauma-informed care, and sustained support from trusted adults make significant difference to long-term outcomes.
Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation
Preventing CSE requires coordinated effort across families, schools, communities and services:
In families: Open, age-appropriate conversations about healthy relationships, consent and online safety help children recognise inappropriate behaviour. Creating environments where children feel safe discussing concerns - without fear of punishment or judgment - encourages disclosure.
In schools: Relationships and Sex Education (statutory since 2020) should include content on exploitation, consent and healthy relationships. Staff training to recognise signs and respond appropriately is essential.
In communities: Youth services, positive activities and safe spaces give children supportive relationships with trusted adults outside family circles. Community awareness campaigns help neighbours, shop workers and taxi drivers recognise concerning situations.
In services: Effective information-sharing between police, social care, health and education helps identify patterns and protect vulnerable children. Specialist CSE teams and multi-agency approaches improve both prevention and response.
What to Do If You're Worried About a Child
If you think a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you're concerned about possible exploitation but there's no immediate danger:
Contact local children's social care - Every local authority has a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or equivalent. You can find contact details on your local council's website.
Contact the NSPCC Helpline - Call 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected] for advice and support. The helpline is free, confidential and available 24/7.
Report online concerns - You can make a report to CEOP if you're concerned about online abuse or grooming.
For young people: If you're experiencing exploitation or worried about a friend, you can contact Childline on 0800 1111. Calls are free, confidential and you won't get in trouble.
You don't need proof or certainty to raise concerns. If something doesn't feel right, it's better to share that concern and let professionals assess the situation.
Mim* speaks to Jannat* outside Save the Children's Childspace in Dhaka, Bangladesh as captured by Shefali Rafiq
Joy* talking with Viviana Coppola – SC Italy anti-trafficking head of unit
How Save the Children Works to Safeguard Children from Abuse
At Save the Children, we believe every child has the right to grow up safe from abuse and exploitation. Our work combines direct support for children and families, advocacy for stronger protections, and collaboration with communities worldwide.
In the UK, we work with partners to strengthen safeguarding systems, support vulnerable families, and campaign for policies that protect children from all forms of abuse. Globally, we run programmes addressing child trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse, helping survivors rebuild their lives and preventing exploitation before it occurs.
Our Vie d'Uscita ("A Way Out") project in Italy, launched in 2012, provides support for victims of trafficking and exploitation to escape abusive situations and access recovery support. In 2021, the project supported 538 people across seven Italian regions, including specialist assistance for young women and girls recovering from sexual exploitation.
We also advocate for stronger laws, better enforcement and increased funding for prevention and support services. Because we believe that with the right support at the right time, children can recover from even the most devastating experiences and build futures filled with hope.
Frequently Asked Questions About CSE
Is child sexual exploitation the same as child sexual abuse?
CSE is a specific type of child sexual abuse characterised by exploitative situations where perpetrators use power imbalances, manipulation or coercion. While all CSE is child sexual abuse, not all child sexual abuse follows the exploitative patterns typical of CSE. The key distinguishing factor is the exchange - whether goods, accommodation, affection or other benefits - and the manipulative relationship dynamics involved.
Does CSE only happen to teenage girls?
No. While teenage girls are disproportionately represented in identified cases, CSE affects children of all genders and ages. Boys and young men, LGBTQ+ young people, and younger children can all be exploited. Boys may be less likely to be identified because exploitation is less recognised in male victims, and young men may face additional barriers to disclosure due to stigma and stereotypes about masculinity.
Is CSE always violent?
Not always. Many people assume CSE involves physical violence, but manipulation and psychological coercion are more common. Perpetrators often create emotional dependency, isolate young people from support networks, or use threats about consequences rather than physical force. The absence of physical violence doesn't make the exploitation any less serious or harmful.
Can CSE happen online only?
Yes. Online-only CSE, including coercion to create sexual images, live-streaming abuse, and sextortion (threatening to share intimate images), constitutes exploitation even without physical contact. However, many cases begin online before progressing to offline abuse. The online and offline worlds are increasingly interconnected in exploitation cases.
*Names changed to protect identities
