Today marks National Child Exploitation Awareness Day. The term ‘Child Exploitation’ sometimes suggests that the child ‘benefits’ from the situation, framing it as a ‘transaction’ rather than acknowledging it for what it truly is – abuse.

This issue can affect anyone, regardless of background, but those who exploit children employ the same tactics: coercion, manipulation, and threats of violence against them or their families. Many children are lured in with promises of a safer life away from poverty, abuse, and neglect, only to find themselves trapped and coerced into situations where they are told they now owe their abusers.

Unofficial estimates indicate that approximately 100,000 people are victims of Modern-Day Slavery, with many having suffered since childhood. Young individuals are often coerced into ‘repaying’ the ‘assistance’ they’ve received by being forced into marriages, involved in criminal activities like county lines, or compelled to work involuntarily in the sex industry.

We understand that this can happen to anyone, and you can find additional support and information regarding Modern Day Slavery at Causeway – Modern Slavery & Criminal Justice Support Charity.

We are here to listen, if you are a woman or girl aged 13+ and have been affected by sexual exploitation and need to talk you can click the help button below to find out how to contact us.