It is inexcusable to ignore teenage sexual exploitation

In the case of the nine men in Rochdale who were charged with rape and child prostitution, the national media focus quickly shifted to the ethnicity and cultural values of the men rather than the vulnerability of the young women they had abused. As Anne Marie Carrie, the new chief executive of Barnardo's, suggested at the time, we need to give more attention to this "hidden issue", and refocus the debate on the young people at risk of being exploited.

But I find it hard to believe that anyone who has knowledge of the care system can remain ignorant about the sexual exploitation of young people who grow up in care. It is allowed to happen far too often, and for far too long. And it's not only the young men and women who are introduced to the sex industry who are affected.

I'll never forget the teenager living in the residential home where I had my first social work placement expressing her relief that she had her period, and therefore would not "have" to sleep with anyone at the party she was going to that evening. Not much older, and totally out of my depth, I was deeply affected by her admission that she simply didn't feel good enough about herself to say no.

Barnardo's is calling for new guidance on identifying vulnerability, but I don't think that is the answer. Sexual exploitation raises all kinds of complex feelings and emotions, and many professionals find it difficult enough to talk to young people. And I've seen how foster carers can struggle to encourage the teenagers they are looking after to make their own decisions and promote their independence - yet still keep them safe. Even so, as uncomfortable as it might make us, that is still no excuse for pretending it is not happening, or even worse, opting out and claiming that nothing can be done to stop a young person who "chooses" to put her or himself at risk.

That's just not good enough. Because there are some examples of excellent practice we can all learn from. Like the foster carer I met who worked closely and sensitively with the police to identify a group of young men who were taking the 14-year-old she was looking after to clubs, giving her cocaine and then lining up to have sex with her. She even put pressure on her agency to find a more secure placement, a difficult decision for everyone at the time, but necessary to protect this young woman from destroying herself.

We already have plenty of evidence and knowledge about sexual exploitation. So let's turn our attention and resources to making sure all adults with responsibility for these children and young people are prepared and well-supported to deal with it. And, above all, that they care enough about what they do to want to stop it.

Andrea Warman is an independent researcher and consultant, and formerly programmes director and deputy chief executive at The Who Cares? Trust