Awareness of Child Exploitation (CE) has risen dramatically in recent years as the scale of the problem was unearthed in areas across the country. The issue has since been covered extensively on the news, in documentaries and TV dramas; but our teams find the early signs of exploitation are often still missed by the adults around a young victim.
For this reason, we have produced a series of posters that shine a light on this issue, and the ways to help a young person. The materials are most relevant for professionals who work with children, but are useful for anybody who wants to know more about Child Exploitation and Missing From Home:
- Posters for professionals
- Posters for parents and care givers
- Posters for using directly with young people
Please feel free to download, print, and share these materials with your networks.
Posters for professionals
Different Dangers, Same Signs
Our experience tells us that victims of child criminal exploitation (CCE), child sexual exploitation (CSE) and those who go missing from home often display the same or similar characteristics and indicators. This poster, taken from our report on The Changing Needs of Victims, looks at signs to look out for.
Positive relationships break the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) cycle
Everyone needs strong, positive relationships in order to thrive. If young people trust the right adults around them, CSE can be stopped at an early stage. This poster is aimed to help professionals understand the signs of CSE and how to intervene at every point.
Child Sexual Exploitation: Think boys
Groomers and abusers may sometimes use different techniques to draw boys in, but the outcome is the same. Our response should be the same too, but there are a number of additional things to think about. Learn about these things here.
Child Criminal Exploitation: How do gangs recruit and coerce young people?
Catch22 believe that children involved in criminality are victims first. Groomers exploit young people and force them to commit crimes. This poster outlines the pattern of exploitation we have seen in our Child Exploitation services.
Spotting a runaway child
Children may run away from home because they are unhappy or because they are being coerced and exploited. This poster shows you how to spot signs a child may be a runaway, and how to help them.
Good Practice Guidance: Return Home Interviews (RHIs) delivered remotely
It’s always best practice to see a child face-to-face after they have been missing where possible. However, during the COVID–19 crisis, remote delivery of return home interviews (RHIs) might be necessary.
What makes a child vulnerable to exploitation? 
This poster outlines the different factors that make a child susceptible to exploitation.
Posters for parents and care givers
Understanding County Lines
Often the language used to talk about #CountyLines is demeaning, glamourising or victim blaming, masking the fact that this is exploitation and can wreck the lives of children and their families. Our latest poster explains what County Lines really is – and highlights some of the slang terms you might encounter.
Spot the Signs: Prevent a young person going missing
Every 3 minutes a child runs away from home or care and each year 100,000 children go missing in the UK. These children are at risk of sexual exploitation, involvement in crime, substance misuse and homelessness. This poster, outlines some of the signs to look out for and what you can do next.
Push and Pull Factors: What causes a child to go missing?
Children go missing for lots of reasons. When a child comes back, they often need additional support – but we can only find out what they need through talking to them in what’s commonly called a return home interview (RHI). This poster looks at some of the causes of a missing from home incident, and provides tips for parents on carers on what to do when a child returns.
Keeping children safe during the school holidays
Any extended period of unstructured time can cause friction between children and young people and those who care for them. Our CE teams share a few basic tips on how to work with children to agree strategies and keep them as safe as possible.
Remote support for parents: helplines, apps and websites
We know parents may be looking for extra support as they ‘switch to remote’ during the COVID-19 crisis. We have put together a list of helplines, apps, websites and resources that you might find helpful: from mindfulness and indoor activities, to mental health and financial advice.
Posters for using with young people
What makes a good relationship?
This poster looks at the factors that form a healthy relationship, whether between peers or adult and child. A useful tool for using directly with young people.
Helplines, apps and websites if you need help now
There are lots of organisations and charities offering free support to young people who may need extra help at the moment. Covering a wide range of topics, from youth crime to mental health support, there is someone you can talk to. We’ve outlined the ways you can get in touch with these organisations, so that you can access support quickly and easily if you need it.
Find out more
- Catch22 run CE, CSE and Missing from Home services in locations across the country.
- Our teams are increasingly working with children who have been criminally exploited; you can find out more about this and sign up for updates here.