The report on child sexual exploitation by the independent Health Working Group found that although awareness of the issue has improved in recent years, the way health staff deal with it must be improved.
It recommends that staff require specialist training to recognise the signs of potential or actual abuse, ask the necessary questions, and make an assessment of risk.
“Health professionals should feel equipped to help children who are sexually exploited in a safe and appropriate manner and to refer to children’s social care, the police and services providing support in the community,” the report states.
“All child safeguarding education and training [for health service staff] should contain a comprehensive section on sexual exploitation, recognising that it has profound health consequences, so that health professionals are supported to respond appropriately to victims.”
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