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Parents: Watch for signs of paedophiles
James Ferguson20/12/2006
OLDHAM Council has been working with the children's charity Barnardo's to tackle the problem of child sexual exploitation in the borough.
Geoff Hart, assistant director of Barnardo's in the North West, revealed some of the warning signs for parents to look out for if they are worried their child could be drawn into abuse.
He said: "If any one of these things exist it doesn't necessarily mean there is sexual exploitation going on, but these factors do tend to go together..."
- Has your child become disengaged from the family and uncommunicative?
- Do they go missing from home on a regular basis, particularly overnight?
- Is their behaviour or routine at home changing?
- Have they been getting unexplained gifts like mobile phones, trainers or money?
- Have they suddenly begun to use drugs or alcohol?
- Are there changes in friendship patterns, with best friends suddenly replaced by others?
- Is there an older boyfriend on the scene?
Geoff was also able to outline the methods often used by sex offenders to groom their victims.
He said: "Generally, the classic technique is to identify young girls with weak social networks. These are very vulnerable girls in need of love and attention.
"Perpetrators initially provide all these things by posing as boyfriends."
Offenders give girls gifts, money or favours, then take it further and move into a sexual relationship.
Geoff said: "That is already abusive, but then it moves into a degree of coercion. They may withhold drugs or use physical violence.
"They might say they have debt problems and the only way to help is if the young person has sexual relations with someone."
Anyone concerned about a young person should contact the Child Assessment Team on 0161 911 3790, email cat-duty@oldham.gov.uk or call the NSPCC on 0800 800 5000. Any young person wanting to get advice or help can call the numbers above or contact Childline on 0800 1111. If you have been a victim of a sexual offence call the St Mary's Sexual Assault Centre in confidence on 0161 276 6515.
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22/02/2007 at 15:07