Barnardo’s has published a report on child exploitation across the UK which looks at the impact of the cost of living crisis and school holidays. Findings from survey data and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police and local authorities in the UK include: during months when there are school holidays of 2 weeks or longer, there are dips in the monthly average police records of child sexual exploitation, which increase again during term time; and there is a lack of specialist support services for children who experience exploitation. Recommendations include: all governments across the UK should invest in specialist support services and the UK Government should strengthen protections from online child criminal exploitation, including within the Online Safety Bill.
Read the news story: Under-reporting of child exploitation during the school holidays reveals invisible victims
Read the report: Invisible children: understanding the risk of the cost-of-living crisis and school holidays on child sexual and criminal exploitation (PDF)
Source: Barnardo’s
Date: 07 July 2023
