Ask the Expert: Exploitation fears

I am a youth outreach worker and am becoming increasingly worried about one of the young people who is often under the influence of alcohol. She is also frequently in the company of older men. What can I do?

Many young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation don’t recognise their situation and genuinely believe the adults involved are their friends. If you are seriously worried that she may be being groomed I would report your concerns as soon as possible in order for her to be kept safe.

You don’t state how old this young person is but I am guessing she is under 18. She sounds like she is vulnerable to sexual exploitation, not least due to her alcohol misuse and the older men involved.

Is she isolated or does she have other friends of her own age? If she is isolated, are there opportunities for her to join any group activities or projects she might find fun?

Can you develop opportunities to do some targeted one-to-one work with her to address her alcohol issues? Within this you could look at her health and self-esteem and also identify her aspirations and ways to achieve them with her.

Answered by Jeanie Lynch, who works for Barnardo’s and has 25 years’ experience of working with vulnerable children and families