Burnley FC back campaign aimed at raising awareness of child sexual exploitation

Burnley Football Club is proud to back a Lancashire Police campaign aimed at raising awareness of and stamping out child sexual exploitation.
Burnley Football Club are backing the campaignBurnley Football Club are backing the campaign
Burnley Football Club are backing the campaign

With the help of Clarets manager Sean Dyche and the entire first team squad, the club media department has produced a video to back this campaign.

Child sexual exploitation is a crime that can affect any child, anytime, anywhere – regardless of their social or ethnic background.

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It involves offenders grooming youngsters and using their power to sexually abuse them.

Burnley Football Club are backing the campaignBurnley Football Club are backing the campaign
Burnley Football Club are backing the campaign

It can take many forms, whether it occurs through a seemingly ‘consensual’ relationship with an older boyfriend, or a young person having sex in return for attention, gifts, alcohol or cigarettes.

Sexual exploitation is child abuse and, although they may not realise it, it puts the young victim at huge risk of damage to their physical, emotional and psychological health.

Many young people who are being abused do not realise they are at risk and will not call for help. They may see themselves as willing participants when in fact their behaviour is anything but consenting.

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And, while there is no stereotypical victim of exploitation, there are warning signs in children’s behaviour that may indicate something is wrong – and if you know what you’re looking for, you can take steps to help them.

What are the signs you need to know?

• Has the young person received unexplained gifts or money?

• Do they use their mobile phone secretively?

• Do they have significantly older friends?

• Have they been picked up from home or school by someone you don’t know?

• Are they associating with other young people who are already known to be vulnerable or involved in exploitation?

• Have they started playing truant from school or regularly going missing from home?

• Have they suffered from a sexually-transmitted infection?

• Are they self-harming?

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If you are concerned about a young person you know, call Lancashire Police on 101 or the local Freedom Team on 01706 237397. In an emergency, always dial 999. You can also visit www.lancashire.police.uk/cse for lots more information.

A new website for young people will also be launched in September so please encourage as many as possible to visit www.trusted2know.co.uk where they can get help and advice on a range of subjects, including this one.