CSE and Grooming
“As a police officer, we get a lot of training, but this was immensely powerful as the lived experience session gave insight other courses hadn’t”
Helping young people spot grooming, stay safe, and speak up
What’s the difference between sexual violence prevention and child sexual exploitation and grooming?
Sexual Violence Prevention is a broad category that includes preventing any unwanted sexual acts or abuse.
CSE and Grooming focuses specifically on how predators target, manipulate, and exploit children and young people to engage in sexual abuse or exploitation. It’s a specialised area with unique signs, tactics, and prevention strategies.
Why We Separate Sexual Violence Prevention and CSE & Grooming workshops
At HIPS we know that keeping children safe means understanding the different ways harm can happen – and how to stop it.
As the signs, risks, and ways to protect children are different, we offer focused training and resources for each. This helps parents, teachers, and professionals understand exactly what to look for and how to respond – so they can better protect children from harm.
Key UK Grooming & CSE Statistics (2023–2024)
01.
Online Grooming Crimes:
In the 2023/24 period, UK police recorded 7,062 offences under the Sexual Communication with a Child law – an 89% increase since 2017/18.
02.
Primary School Children Affected:
Over 5,500 offences involved children aged 11 and under, highlighting the vulnerability of primary school-aged children.
03.
Gender Disparity:
Where gender was known, 83% of victims were girls, underscoring the need for targeted safeguarding measures.
04.
Platforms Used:
Snapchat and Meta-owned platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) were involved in 73% of grooming cases, with Snapchat alone accounting for 26% (NSPCC).
Why This Matters
These statistics reveal a troubling trend: grooming and CSE are not isolated incidents but widespread issues affecting children across the UK. The rise in online grooming reflects the increasing role of digital platforms in facilitating such abuse. It’s crucial for parents, teachers, and professionals to recognise the signs and understand the dynamics of grooming and CSE to protect children effectively.
Our Commitment
Whether you’re worried about your child’s safety or looking for ways to keep your school or organisation safe, we’re here to help with clear, practical advice tailored to each issue.
Survivor Stories
Why We Didn’t Speak out
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
I met him while playing an online game. He was funny and listened when I talked about things I didn’t share with anyone else. After a while, he started asking me to keep secrets and send pictures. I thought it was normal because he said it was just between us. Then he pressured me to do things that made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t tell anyone because I was scared he would be angry or that no one would believe me.
Important to remember:
- Groomers often pretend to be caring friends
- Secrets are used to control and isolate
- Fear and confusion can keep children silent
I met him on a children’s chat forum. He said he was the same age and shared secrets with me. We talked every day. Then he asked me to send videos and do things on camera. I felt scared and confused but didn’t want to lose the ‘friendship.’ I didn’t know how to explain it or who to talk to. I thought no one would believe me because he seemed like a kid too.
Important to remember:
- Groomers lie about their age to gain trust
- Groomers manipulate and take advantage by making children feel special
- We must teach children it’s okay to say no and ask for help
He was older, maybe in his early twenties. He told me I was special and gave me things – clothes, makeup, even took me out sometimes. It felt exciting and different from school and home. He said he loved me and that I didn’t have to worry about anything. But soon, he started asking me to meet his friends, and I felt pressured to do things I wasn’t comfortable with. I didn’t want to say no because I thought he might leave me. It took me a long time to realise this wasn’t normal or okay – it was exploitation.
Why Zara stayed silent:
- Groomed through gifts and attention
- Confused romantic feelings with control
- Fear of losing what felt like love
- Lack of safe spaces to talk openly
He seemed so charming and promised he’d always be there. He bought me things and told me I was special, unlike others.
Then one day he told me he was in trouble. He owed some people money but he didn’t have it and they were threatening to hurt him. He said I was the only one he could trust. I didn’t know what to do. He was crying and said he would never ask me to do this but he asked if I would sleep with one of his friends and then that would pay off the debt. I did. It was awful but I didn’t know what else to do. But it didn’t stop there. He introduced me to older men and it kept happening. I was scared to say no – I thought as the first time it was my choice that they where right – that now I had no choice as I had the reputation of being a cheat. He would then get violent with me if I said no. I was so confused about how I ended up in the situation. I felt ashamed and alone. When I tried to talk about it, I was told it was my fault for trusting him. No one taught me how to spot this kind of abuse, and I felt like I had nowhere to turn.
Why Mia didn’t speak out:
- Groomed through false affection and gifts
- Normalised abuse as part of ‘romantic’ relationships
- Blamed and shamed when she tried to ask for help
- Need for education and open conversation about CSE