#LookCloser campaign tackles child exploitation

I am so proud of the work that The Children's Society, along with key partners such as the police, does to raise awareness about the different types of exploitation that potentially thousands of children fall victim to each year.

While it is true that many of these children live in situations which make them especially vulnerable, this year we are reminding people that it is also worthwhile to check, sometimes misguided, assumptions about who is at risk of exploitation.

In particular, the idea that it is always girls who are sexually exploited and boys who are coerced into crime should be put to rest. Boys can be sexually abused too, and there are girls who are criminally exploited, while trans and non-binary children can also experience both forms of exploitation.

Let's also stay aware that age plays a significant role in our beliefs. We need to be as considerate of the fact that older teenagers are still victims of exploitation as we are when we think about younger children.

What it comes down to is that any child in any community can be targeted, and that they may react to being exploited in ways we might not expect, like appearing angry or aggressive. We see children from all walks of life targeted by criminals and traffickers, regardless of their background or circumstances.

It is exactly why it is essential that people are aware of the signs and, even more crucially, have an understanding of what child exploitation might be. The truth is it is not always easy to spot and sometimes it may be that relying on instinct when something just seems “wrong” is the right course of action.

The #LookCloser campaign recognises this and also that reporting exploitation can be a difficult and even challenging process. You might be worried that you’re doing the wrong thing or have misread the situation but if we are all to help the children who are at risk, then it is always better to speak up.

The Children's Society's website provides more information on what to look out for and resources for people working with children.

In addition to raising awareness about the signs of exploitation, we support children who have already fallen victim to exploitation and we have a wealth of expertise and experience in the range of services and support available.

The #LookCloser campaign remains an important cornerstone in the efforts to raise awareness about child exploitation and to encourage people to be more vigilant in spotting and reporting the signs.

We all have a role to play in protecting children from harm, and by working together, we can make a real difference to the lives of children across the UK.

• Mark Russell is chief executive of The Children's Society