Child exploitation takes many forms, including child
prostitution, child pornography and pornography on the
Internet. The vast majority of children do not get involved
voluntarily; they are coerced, enticed or are utterly
desperate.
Sadly, children are sometimes abused by people they
know within their own family or wider network. As a
parent you need to be able to recognise the signs that
your child might be a victim of child pornography or
any other form of sexual exploitation.
Child pornography has devastating effects on children,
both on those who are exploited in the actual pictures
and those who view it. Exploitative adults will encourage
children to view child pornography, which leads them
to see pornographic acts as acceptable and normal. This
acceptance can make them more susceptible to being the
subject of future sexual involvement.
Child pornography places the children depicted in extremely
harmful situations, both sexually and physically. It
causes a sense of shame and guilt in the child and a
fear that family and friends might find out and blame
them. This fear often makes it difficult for a child
who has been exploited to testify against a molester
in court.
Preventing children from being photographed or portrayed
as the subject of pornography is difficult. Because
abusers have no distinguishing characteristics, it is
difficult to warn children about what an abuser is or
looks like. But you can warn children about the abnormal
actions of abusers and make sure that children know
that they have the right to say NO.
Children abused through prostitution are victims of
sexual abuse. Unfortunately these victims often become
offenders themselves, as in order to support themselves
or to escape from the life they lead, they get involved
in drugs and petty crime.
Internet-related child exploitation is now also a
major cause for concern. Remember that as you or your
child moves through the Internet, you leave information
about yourself. Become computer literate and get to
know the services your child uses. Establish some Internet
safety rules with your child.
You should be aware of the indicators of sexual and
physical abuse and exploitation, such as those listed
under ‘Warning Signs’ opposite. Obviously
there could be other explanations, but it is important
to help your child no matter what the cause of the symptoms
or the behaviour. For instance, you might become aware
of and concerned about your child’s relationship
with an older person (whom your child might describe
as a friend, whether male or female) and/or frequent
absences from home/school.
Local police and social services have small specialist
teams who are specially trained to interview children
with the support of their parents.
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