Sexual Exploitation

Sexual Exploitation is a form of sexual abuse. Sexual Abuse is one of the ten categories of abuse and neglect identified within the Care Act 2014.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) definition of Child Sexual Exploitation can be adapted and used for Adult Sexual Exploitation and is as follows:

"sexual exploitation involves exploitative situations, context and relationships where individuals receive something (e.g. food, accommodation, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, money) as a result of them performing and / or others performing on them, sexual activities".

The definition developed by the Children's Society is also helpful:

'Someone taking advantage of you sexually, for their own benefit. Through threats, bribes, violence, humiliation, or by telling you that they love you, they will have the power to get you to do sexual things for their own of other people's benefit or enjoyment (including: touching or kissing private parts, sex or taking sexual photos)"

Adults can be sexually exploited in many ways. Examples include:

1. Rape (which can include rape by a partner, if the sex is unwanted – no means no, with no exception);
2. Sexual assault;
3. Being tricked or manipulated into having sex or performing a sexual act;
4. Being trafficked into, out of, or around the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation (i.e. prostitution);
5. Being forced to take part in or watch pornography;
6. Being victim to revenge porn (when a previously taken video or photograph, which was taken with or without consent, is shared online).

Anybody could be a victim of sexual exploitation. While a majority of victims are women, men can also be victim.

The following are especially vulnerable:

1. Victims of domestic violence and abuse;
2. Drug and alcohol users;
3. Homeless people and those with limited or no immigration status;
4. Nightlife / weekend party goers;
5. Adults with physical, learning or mental disabilities;
6. Victims of forced marriage.

Anybody could be a perpetrator of sexual exploitation. Commonly, perpetrators include:

1. Partners (boyfriends/girlfriends or husbands/wives);
2. Family members;
3. Gang members (organised traffickers or drug gangs);
4. Drug and alcohol users;
5. Illegal taxi drivers.

Signs that an adult may be a victim of sexual exploitation include:

1. Demonstrating signs of domestic violence and abuse;
2. Becoming alcohol dependent or a user of drugs;
3. Changes in behaviour and emotions;
4. Testing positive for sexually transmitted infections;
5. Their passport or identity documents taken away;
6. They have been subject to a forced marriage.

In Gateshead all concerns about sexual exploitation should be reported, regardless whether or not the safeguarding adult criteria is met. This preventative approach hopefully supports adults at the earliest opportunity, improving life chances and wellbeing.

See: Disclosure and Raising a Concern. 

Should the adult have Care and Support needs, the concern will be allocated to a practitioner within the Gateshead Council Safeguarding Adults Team.

If the adult does not have Care and Support needs the referral will be allocated to a practitioner within the Multi-Agency Assessment and Referral Team (MAART).

The lead officer within the Safeguarding Adults Team or the MAART will identify the most appropriate practitioner to complete the Exploitation Screening Tool.

Often this will be the practitioner who has the closest relationship with the Adult at Risk – examples include substance misuse worker, a social worker, an advocate, a sexual health advisor, a GP or a voluntary sector support worker. If there is no known organisation / practitioner who has engagement with the Adult at Risk the Safeguarding Adults Team or MAART will complete the tool using the information included in the initial safeguarding adult concern.

The overall risk level should be identified by applying professional judgement, which is based upon the factors of concern and imminence of risk. Where possible, the Screening must include a record of the adult's views.

If the Screening reveals imminent risk to the adult information must also be shared with Northumbria Police by ringing 999.

Intelligence can be shared via: forceintelligence@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.