Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) - Print version

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), as defined in Working Together 2018

‘Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse.

Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.’

Far more children are sexually abused than services identify. The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse was established with a priority task to improve the evidence base on the scale and nature of CSA and use that evidence based to inform policy and practice. Their webpages include trends and analysis of the latest data on CSA [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/our-research/the-scale-and-nature-of-csa/].

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of Child Sexual Abuse, where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.

Indicators and how to respond to CSE [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/childrens-social-care/child-sexual-exploitation-cse/2].

Quick reference poster [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/37956/child-sexual-exploitation-poster]

Child Sexual Abuse Learning Event

Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership hosted a child sexual abuse learning event in May 2023. The event included guest speakers and information from local organisations:

This video is approximately 2 hours, each segment will play automatically at the end of each video.

Learning Event - Unpicking Underage Sexual Activity

Watch a video recording from the "Unpicking Underage Sexual Activity" that was held on Monday 10 July 2023.  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrrVBQXukF4]

Spotting the signs

Most children who are being sexually abused do not tell anyone about it at the time; instead, they may show other emotional, behavioural, and physical signs and indicators of their abuse.

It is rarely possible to ‘diagnose’ sexual abuse from individual signs and indicators. Children who are sexually abused may also be experiencing other forms of maltreatment and signs of sexual abuse are often missed or dismissed.

A Report into Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment (JTAI 2020) [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-multi-agency-response-to-child-sexual-abuse-in-the-family-environment] found that “Professionals rely too heavily on children to verbally disclose”. However, we will rarely reach a position of ‘absolute knowing’.

The CSA Centre’s signs and indicators tool can help ‘build a picture’ of concerns, looking at signs and indicators associated with a child themselves but also the potential indicators of sexually abusive behaviour in those who may be abusing them.

There are many reasons why a child or young person may not disclose their abuse. This could include:

• Emotional ties or loyalty to the perpetrator
• Guilt, shame or feeling complicit in their abuse;
• Receipt of something they need or want (especially those suffering Child Sexual Exploitation);
• Thinking they won’t be believed, or being told this by abusers;
• Not knowing where to go for help;
• Prior negative reactions/experiences of services;
• Not realising there is anything to report;

Survivors say the most helpful professional is one that:

• Is secure about boundaries, but relates with warmth and kindness
• Is informed about CSA, or keen to learn
• Has examined his/her own issues around CSA
• Works non-hierarchically, consults clients, reaches joint decision
• Is client centred, flexible and imaginative
• Neither hides behind confidentiality nor breaks it insensitively
• Has courage to stay with clients through distressing details or behaviour
• Is prepared to work over a period of time, though brief contacts can sometimes be the catalyst to life changes

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB)

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people which is harmful or abusive.

Development in technology and social media has led to an increased prevalence in technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviours. Examples of this include:

• Sharing indecent images
• Developmentally inappropriate use of pornography
• Sextortion - Forcing somebody to do something by threatening to publish sexual material about them

Technology is likely to feature in harmful sexual behaviours between peers.

The CSA Centre have produced a guide which provides practical support for those in education settings to respond to children’s needs and safety when incidents of harmful sexual behaviour occur. The Guide looks at key actions for a school when an incident of harmful sexual behaviour has occurred, including a safety plan template for recording and reviewing arrangements, as well as broader practical advice such as how to communicate with children, and their parents. 

It’s important to be able to distinguish developmentally typical sexual behaviours from those that may be problematic or harmful, and make sure children get appropriate support. The Hackett continuum is a tool to support objective decision making about a child or young person’s sexual behaviour [https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexual-behaviour/understanding].

The NSPCC website has examples of what typical sexual behaviours young people exhibit at different stages of their sexual development [https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-health-development/sexual-behaviour].

What to consider when working with Harmful Sexual Behaviour:

• What the sexual behaviours are, patterns or escalation and whether they are spontaneous or planned.
• The potential cause - An understanding of the young person’s early life experiences, current life experiences, individual factors.
• Where the behaviour is happening - At home, school, in the community, on the school bus, at parties, in the presence of others.
• Patterns of sexual behaviour – Understanding any patterns to the young person’s sexual behaviour will help when you are thinking about risk management.
• Power differentials - This difference can be physical, emotional, intellectual, or due to social position.
• Age differentials.
• Characteristics of age, sex or vulnerability that may indicate a target group which may indicate abuse.
• Attempts to secure secrecy.
• Consent – Any sexual behaviour where a person does not “fully consent” or agree can be seen as abusive. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, a child under the age of 13 cannot give consent to sexual activity.

A Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) was undertaken between September 2018 and May 2019 looking into the multi-agency response to child sexual abuse in the family environment [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-multi-agency-response-to-child-sexual-abuse-in-the-family-environment/multi-agency-response-to-child-sexual-abuse-in-the-family-environment-joint-targeted-area-inspections-jtais].

One of the key findings was that when children have displayed harmful sexual behaviour, often it is solely their behaviour, not the cause, that professionals respond to. It also found that professionals rely too heavily on children to verbally disclose, and Children and non-perpetrating parents and family members are not supported well enough.

One Minute Guide giving advice on how to have difficult conversations with children [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/34711/difficult-conversations-with-children].

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation have produced a Harmful Sexual Behaviour Prevention Toolkit [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/39058/harmful-sexual-behaviour-prevention-toolkit-lucy-faithfull-foundation], designed for parents, carers, family members and professionals. The toolkit contains links to useful information, resources, and support as well as practical tips to prevent harmful sexual behaviour and provide safe environments for families.

Internet offending

Internet Offending is a growing form of Child Sexual Abuse.

Imagery

Imagery is viewed, downloaded, shared and stored over the internet and offender networks will share live streamed material. Imagery is classed in categories from A to C depending on severity.

In the Internet Watch Foundation annual report [https://annualreport2021.iwf.org.uk/trends/], ‘Self-generated’ imagery was found to be the most predominant type of child sexual abuse imagery – just over 7 in 10 reports include this type of content. Self-generated imagery is imagery of children that they have captured themselves via a phone, tablet or computer camera, often in their own homes. This material can be one of three broad categories:

• Non-sexual images that are appropriated and used in connection with child sexual exploitation and abuse online. These may be manipulated by offenders and then used to blackmail children.
• Voluntarily ‘self-generated’ material, often shared between adolescent peers. Harm is typically caused when this imagery is re-shared.
• ‘Coerced self-generated’ imagery involves grooming of children to create sexual imagery on camera, which is referred to as ‘capping’.

Grooming

The internet allows offenders to approach children on social media channels, instant messaging apps, live streaming platforms and online gaming to build rapport with a child. This can then lead to blackmail and potential contact abuse. Offenders will frequently use newer platforms with underdeveloped safety mechanisms and awareness. Offenders will use these same platforms to then share advice on how to avoid detection.

Sites with useful resources for parents, carers, and professionals:

Research found a lack of parental involvement and understanding of children’s internet use was seen to be a risk factor.

• Stop it Now! [http://www.stopitnow.org.uk] work to prevent child sexual abuse, working with people who are worried about themselves and others and help to support parents and families.
• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection unit (CEOP) site [http://www.ceop.gov.uk]
• ThinkUKnow [https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/]
• Internet Watch Foundation [http://www.iwf.org.uk]

Sexual Abuse Referral Centre (SARC)

The purpose of the medical examination is not only to look for signs (evidence) but also to ensure the health and well-being of the child – the therapeutic value of which cannot be overstated’

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Many children who are known or suspected to have been victims of CSA and are known to the police and/or social care are not brought for a medical examination (1 in 4 have a medical examination).

Reasons to refer:

• Evidence
  • DNA (forensics)
  • Anatomical damage (fresh or healed)
  • Other categories of harm
• Health
  • STI screening & prevention
  • Emergency contraception
• Emotional welfare
  • Reassurance
  • Counselling and support

The CSA Centre have conducted research on the role and purpose of the medical examination and the lived experience of, and impacts on, children and young people of having an examination. They have also produced a video to help professionals and practitioners involved in advising, referring and supporting children and families make decisions and explain processes to children and families [http://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/medical-examinations/].

The West Midlands Sexual Abuse Referral Centre (SARC) provided a webinar on their services [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS9bjiDTU9o] as well as easy read guides for children, young people, parents and carers, and professionals [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7080/sexual-abuse-referral-centre-sarc-resources].

Blue Sky Centre’s website [http://blueskycentre.org.uk/]
Telephone: 0800 970 0370
E-mail: info@blueskycentre.org.uk [mailto:info@blueskycentre.org.uk]

There is also a West Midlands Regional Children and Young People Sexual Assault Service [https://westmidsregionalcypsas.co.uk/professionals/]. The service supports children from birth to 17 years old and 18-25 year olds who present with complex needs.

Their helpline 0808 196 2340 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Professionals can also email wmppaeds.sarc@nhs.net [mailto:wmppaeds.sarc@nhs.net] or visit their website [https://westmidsregionalcypsas.co.uk/professionals/]

Leaflets for their service are available for professionals, parents and carers and young people [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7218/csa-resources]

The impact of child sexual abuse

Sexual abuse can affect every aspect of a child’s development and individuals are affected differently and to varying degrees.

Some key influences on potential impact are:

• The nature of the abuse - Penetrative abuse is found to be more damaging to longer term mental health than non-penetrative abuse
• Whether the abuse is chronic.
• The relationship between child and perpetrator.
• The support within the family and wider support networks (particularly whether they are believed).

The trauma of child sexual abuse can cause feelings of powerlessness, shame and self-blame, betrayal, and confusion. Adverse outcomes across the course of life can include:

• Poor mental health and wellbeing
• Physical health problems including immediate impacts and long term illness and disability
• Externalising behaviours such as substance misuse, ‘risky’ sexual behaviours, and offending
• Difficulties in interpersonal relationships
• Socio-economic impacts including lower levels of education and income
• Vulnerability to re-victimisation both as children and adults

Particular issues for boys can include a belief they are not allowed to be victims, belief they should have been able to fight off their abuse and confusion whether they should have enjoyed it or around their sexual identity.

Despite its prevalence in all communities, sexual abuse of children from a range of different groups is less likely to be identified. The CSA Centre has conducted research into the particular impact on ethnic minority communities [https://www.iicsa.org.uk/publications/research/child-sexual-abuse-ethnic-minority-communities] and how to improve responses to sexual abuse of children from under-represented groups [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/our-research/responding-to-csa/sexual-abuse-of-children-from-under-represented-groups/].

Abuse will also have an adverse impact on the family, including feelings of blame, torn loyalties, guilt, distress, anger, and jealousy. It is important to support the wider family in these events. The CSA Centre’s ‘Supporting Parents and Carers’ guide [http://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/supporting-parents-and-carers-guide/] is designed to help professionals understand more about how child sexual abuse affects parents and their children, so that they can support them effectively.

The Parents Protect website [http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk] also provides information, safety plans and advice to parents.

Mosac [https://www.mosac.net/] helps all non abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused.

Resources and information for professionals

Information for professionals

Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership hosted a child sexual abuse learning event in May 2023. The event included guest speakers and information from local organisations:

This video is approximately 2 hours, each segment will play automatically at the end of each video.

Non-abusing parent

Intra-familial Child Sexual Abuse does not happen in a vacuum and assessment or intervention in cases needs to take account of all family members. 

There is a distinction between a non-abusing partner’s capacity to protect, their ability to protect and their likelihood of protecting. Their knowledge of the abuse could be anywhere on a spectrum:

• Did not know anything
• Knew something was going on, but not that
• Passive collusion – wondering, suspecting CSA but nothing to confirm
• Active collusion – knowing something is going on but convincing self-nothing going on
• Co offending active participation – willingly or under coercion
• Offending independently

Non-abusing parents are likely to experience worry of the loss of their child and/or partner, being treated with suspicion, potential grooming or physical violence and isolation. The consequence of this does not empower the parents to protect their children.

The CSA Centre’s ‘Supporting Parents and Carers’ guide [http://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/supporting-parents-and-carers-guide/] is designed to help professionals understand more about how child sexual abuse affects parents and their children, so that they can support them effectively.

The Parents Protect website [http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk] also provides information, safety plans and advice to parents. They have also developed an online child sexual abuse and exploitation awareness learning programme [https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/sexual-abuse-learning-programme.htm] for parents, carers and professionals.

Mosac [https://www.mosac.net/] helps all non abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused.

The CSA Centre recognises that in order to be successful in preventing child sexual abuse from happening, and protecting children who are experiencing abuse, we must develop a better understanding of perpetration [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/our-research/perpetration/].

Effectiveness

Commissioning and providing effective services is essential to intervention and recovery for children at risk of or affected by abuse. The CSA Centre is committed to building the evidence base on effectiveness of services that respond to child sexual abuse [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/our-research/effectiveness/].

Responding to CSA

To effectively deal with a problem as pervasive and important as CSA requires everyone with a stake in working to prevent child sexual abuse to get involved. In addition to our core strands of research on the scale and nature of CSA, the evidence base of effectiveness and CSA offending, the CSA Centre has published reports on a wide range of aspects of and interventions around CSA [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/our-research/responding-to-csa/  ].

Institutional CSA

The term ‘institutional child sexual abuse [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/resources/key-messages/institutional-csa/]’ is used to distinguish child sexual abuse (CSA) in an institutional context from that occurring in the family or other settings. It can take place in a wide variety of settings where individuals are in a position of power and trust in relation to children.

Supporting practice in tackling child sexual abuse film series

The CSA Centre have produced a 12-part short film series for professionals, by professionals [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/supporting-practice-in-tackling-child-sexual-abuse/].

Communicating with Children Guide

Research and practice show that it can take years for a child to get to the point where they feel able to tell someone about their experiences. It’s vital that anyone who works with children knows how to recognise what is happening and understands how to help the child to have that conversation. This guide brings together research, practice guidance to help give professionals the knowledge and confidence to act [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/communicating-with-children-guide/].

Sibling Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involving child siblings [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/sibling-sexual-abuse/] is thought to be the most common form of intra-familial child sexual abuse, and is an issue that most protection professionals will encounter at some stage.

The BBC has released a File on 4 episode which focuses on sibling sexual abuse in the UK. The episode features families who have experienced this form of abuse and looks at the challenges they have faced - Sibling sexual abuse: The last taboo? [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00187rz]

NSPCC Learning  - Providing support where there’s been harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) between siblings

Tools

If professionals are worried a child is being exploited, they can use the Child Exploitation Indicator Tool [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6695/child_exploitation_indicator_tool] to submit a concern.

Signs & Indicators Template

Research shows that the majority of children and young people will not tell anyone at the time of their abuse, and if they do, they are much more likely to tell friends or family than someone in a professional role. The CSA Centre’s Signs and Indicators Template [https://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-in-practice/practice-improvement/signs-indicators-template/] helps professionals address this: gathering the wider signs and indicators of sexual abuse to build a picture of their concerns.

The CSA Centre have produced a guide which provides practical support for those in education settings to respond to children’s needs and safety when incidents of harmful sexual behaviour occur. The Guide looks at key actions for a school when an incident of harmful sexual behaviour has occurred, including a safety plan template for recording and reviewing arrangements, as well as broader practical advice such as how to communicate with children, and their parents. 

Steps towards prevention toolkit - Lucy Faithfull Foundation [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/39061/steps-towards-prevention-toolkit-lucy-faithfull-foundation]

Other downloadable resources [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7218/csa-resources ].

Resources for survivors

• The Survivor’s Trust [http://www.thesurvivorstrust.org] are a national umbrella agency for over 135 specialist rape. Sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse organisations through the UK and Ireland.  
• The National Association for People Abused in Childhood [http://www.napac.org.uk] - a website and free helpline for survivors of sexual abuse.  We have very few services (locally and nationally) for survivors of sexual abuse, so this is an useful resource for you to pass to service users so they have someone to talk to about their experiences.
• One in Four [http://www.oneinfour.org.uk/] - Support survivors with counselling, groups, advocacy, and about resources and practical exercises for support.
• Survivors UK [http://www.survivorsuk.org/] – website for male survivors of sexual abuse and assault.
• 1 in 6 [https://1in6.org/] - website for male survivors of sexual abuse.
• Rape Crisis [http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/] Rape Crisis helpline – 0808 802 9999 – National organisation offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. See website for local groups or contact directory enquiries.
• Mind [http://www.mind.org.uk/] provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other services

• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection unit (CEOP) site [http://www.ceop.gov.uk]
• ThinkUKnow [https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/]
• Internet Watch Foundation [http://www.iwf.org.uk]
• Stop it Now! [http://www.stopitnow.org.uk] work to prevent child sexual abuse, working with people who are worried about themselves and others and help support parents and families.
• NOTA supporting professionals to prevent sexual abuse - National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse [https://www.nota.co.uk/nota-bulletin-board/].

Further reading

• Internet Watch Foundation Annual Report [https://www.iwf.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/annual-report-2021/]
• Internet Matters 'Look at me' Sexting Report [https://www.internetmatters.org/about-us/sexting-report-look-at-me/]
• Independent enquiry into CSA Reports – Investigation reports [https://www.iicsa.org.uk/reports-recommendations/publications/investigation]
• IICSA Research reports [https://www.iicsa.org.uk/reports-recommendations/publications/research]

Resources for families and friends

We have included a list of resources that families and friends may find helpful:

Online Safety

• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection unit (CEOP) site [http://www.ceop.gov.uk]
• ThinkUKnow [https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/]
• Internet Watch Foundation [https://www.iwf.org.uk]
• Parents Protect - online safety [https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/internet-safety.htm]

Lucy Faithfull Foundation

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF) work with all those affected by internet offending. Their Family and Friends Get Help website is a site for wives, partners, parents, all adult family members and friends of people who have been known or suspected of accessing IIOC or engaging in other inappropriate sexual behaviours involving children. The site also includes a link to a ‘Family and Friends Forum’, which is a space for family and friends of people who have been accessing IIOC online.

LFF also run a Stop it Now! confidential helpline for anyone with concerns around child sexual abuse: 0808 1000 900.

The helpline is available from 9am – 9pm Monday to Thursdays and 9am – 5pm Fridays.

Stop it Now! [https://www.stopitnow.org.uk] works to prevent child sexual abuse, working with people who are worried about themselves and others and help support parents and families.

If your child is being investigated for getting into trouble online document from Stop It Now [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/39059/if-your-child-is-being-investigated-for-getting-into-trouble-online-stop-it-now]

Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) [https://www.crasac.org.uk]

Helpline: 024 7627 7777 Open Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm, plus Monday & Thursday 6pm – 8pm
Email: helpline@crasac.org.uk [mailto:helpline@crasac.org.uk]

Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE) [https://paceuk.info/]

PACE is a parent and peer-led support service that supports parents and carers whose children are being exploited by offenders outside of the family. This is particularly helpful if you feel you need to talk to others who have had the same or similar experiences to feel that you are not alone.

Mental health support

The Samaritans [https://www.samaritans.org/] are available for everyone, no matter what they are going through. Their help is confidential and available 24/7 365 days a year. You can call for free on 116 123.

Child Sexual Exploitation

This is a type of child sexual abuse. It is when an individual or group take advantage of an imbalance of power, to trick a child (anyone under 18) into receiving ‘something’ in exchange for performing sexual acts, and/or having others perform sexual acts on them.

• ThinkNow CSE website [https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Are-you-worried-your-child-is-being-sexually-exploited/]
• Information poster on Child Sexual Exploitation, the signs and further resources [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/37956/child-sexual-exploitation-poster].

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB)

• HSB in Young People and Children [https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/harmful-behaviour-in-young-people-and-children.htm]
• ‘Parents Protect’ short films [https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/sexual-abuse-learning-programme.htm] will tell you what you need to know about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it, including spotting the signs.
• Talk PANTS [https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/] including children with disabilities or autism

Resources for children and young people

We have included some resources for children and young people to learn more about staying safe and where to go for help.

Fearless [https://www.fearless.org/] is a service that allows you to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously. This means you don't have to give any personal details.

Online safety sites

• Safer Internet Day [http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2016/sid-tv]
• ChildNet [https://www.childnet.com/young-people/]
• Childline sexting information [https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/]
• Get support – Childline [https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/]
• CEOP Online Safety [https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/]

Mental health support

• The Samaritans [https://www.samaritans.org/] are available for everyone, no matter what they are going through. Their help is confidential and available 24/7 365 days a year. You can call for free on 116 123.
• Childline [https://www.childline.org.uk/] - Children can contact Childline on 0800 111 for free and confidential advice
• Barnardos [https://www.barnardos.org.uk] offer support for Children and Young people, including survivors of Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) [https://www.crasac.org.uk] Helpline: 024 7627 7777 / Open Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm, plus Monday & Thursday 6pm – 8pm. Email: helpline@crasac.org.uk [mailto:helpline@crasac.org.uk]
• Young Minds [http://www.youngminds.org.uk]  - Support with mental health for young people
• The Mix [http://www.themix.org.uk] – Online advice and counselling for young people including sexual health and relationships 

Sexual Health and Relationships

• Sex Wise [http://www.sexwise.org.uk] - Sexual Health and Relationships
• Brook [http://www.brook.org.uk]– Free and confidential advice on sexual health and wellbeing 
• Integrated sexual health services [http://www.ishs.org.uk] (Sexual Health, testing and free contraception)
• Face up 2 it Healthy Relationships [https://faceup2it.org/]

Child Sexual Exploitation

• CSE / NSPCC Support [https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/protecting-children/cse]
• Poster to show the signs and indicators of CSE [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/37956/child-sexual-exploitation-poster]

How to report concerns

• Childline how to report [https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety/rape-sexual-assault/]
• The Report Remove tool [https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/remove-nude-image-shared-online/] can be used by any young person under 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves that's appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation then review these reports, and work to have the content removed if it breaks the law.