What are the signs of child exploitation?

Child exploitation is very dynamic, with the signs and indicators changing quickly. However, some signs that your child might be being exploited include:

• Persistently going missing from school or home and/or being found out-of-area
• Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, jewellery, or mobile phones
• Excessive receipt of texts or phone calls
• Spending more time online or on their devices
• Using more than one phone
• Suddenly acquiring expensive gifts such as mobile phones, jewellery
• Being secretive about who they're talking to and where they're going
• Relationships with controlling older individuals or groups
• Coming home looking dishevelled
• Suspicion of physical assault or unexplained injuries
• Carrying weapons
• Starting or increasing vaping, drug use or alcohol use
• Loss of interest in school and significant decline in performance
• Using sexual, gang, drug-related or violent language you wouldn’t expect them to know
• Sudden changes in lifestyle
• Increasingly disruptive or violent behaviour
• Getting into trouble with the police

For further information regarding signs, symptoms, and to understand the wider risks and concerns, the NSPCC Learning website is a useful resource.