'Hidden' child sexual exploitation highlighted by charity

Children’s charity, Barnardo's and the PSNI have expressed concern at the growing problem of sexual exploitation of children and young people.

In a briefing given to the NI Policing Board, Barnardo's said sexual exploitation was a "hidden problem" in Northern Ireland.

Jacqui Montgomery Devlin of Barnardo's said: "Sexual exploitation is a hidden problem and just because people don't see it on the streets doesn't mean it is not happening here.

“Our task has been to initiate an awareness training programme on the issue and to date we have spoken to over 1,000 people working in the areas of social/youth work, education, housing and members of the PSNI."

The charity also stressed the dangers of new technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet, which are commonly being used as aids to abuse and exploit children. The use of such technologies has made the abuse of children through prostitution even easier to hide.

Detective Chief Inspector William McAuley of the PSNI, who highlighted the efforts of the police in tackling child prostitution, said: "Police recognise that child sexual abuse throughout the UK has become a very significant issue for society. Recorded cases are increasing year on year and neither the process of crime recording, the national crime survey or the NI Crime Survey have picked up on the size of the problem.

''We know from research carried out by both statutory and non-statutory child protection agencies that somewhere around 70% of child sexual abuse does not come to the attention of the police. Of those cases that are reported only about 8% are cleared by way of criminal prosecution.”

Acknowledging the importance of the issue Board Vice Chairman Denis Bradley said: "The protection of children from abuse including sexual exploitation is the responsibility of all in the wider community. I am grateful to both Barnardo's and the PSNI for bringing such an important issue to the attention of the Board."

Barnardo's current campaign 'Beyond the Shadows' aims to raise awareness of the increasing problem of child abuse through prostitution and trafficking.

(MB/SP)