Sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation does not just happen to children – anyone aged over 18 can also be a victim. It is when someone takes advantage of you sexually by using threats, bribes or violence.
It can affect any gender or sexuality. Forms of sexual exploitation include:
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Being tricked or manipulated into a sexual act
- Being trafficked into, out of, or around the UK to be sexually exploited
- Being forced to take part in, or watch pornography
- Being the victim of revenge porn, when a sexually explicit video or photo of you taken with or without your consent, is shared with others or online
Some adults, such as those with mental health issues or physical disabilities, are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation because they might rely on other people to look after them.
What are the signs?
If you are being sexually exploited, you might not realise what is happening to you. You might be tricked into thinking that the other person is kind and will look after you, but if any of these things happen, you could be a victim of sexual exploitation:
- Someone older than you approaches you and says nice things about how you look. They might go on to offer you gifts or money.
- Someone contacts you online and asks for your personal details. They might send you something sexual and ask for something in return
- You are in a relationship with someone older than you and they try to separate you from your family or friends
- You are threatened with violence if you don’t carry out a sexual activity
You might believe this is normal or that you are to blame for what is happening to you, but this is never true and you should get help as soon as possible.
Other people might notice some of these things about you, or you might notice a friend behaving in this way:
- Going missing from school or getting into trouble more than usual
- Being secretive
- Having mood swings
- Having money or gifts that can’t be explained
- Sexual behaviour, such as sending sexually explicit photos from a mobile phone
- Using drugs and/or alcohol
- Having bruises or other injuries which can’t be explained
What could happen to me?
As with all types of exploitation, you might feel comfortable to start with, but when things get worse and you want to escape, you feel trapped and unable to get out of the situation.
Being sexually assaulted can affect your physical and mental health and can make it difficult for you to have normal relationships in the future.
You could be forced into sexual activity with strangers and this could expose you to violence, sexually transmitted infections and for women, becoming pregnant.
If you are encouraged to use drugs and alcohol it could leave you unable to make decisions about your safety and vulnerable to being exploited. If you become dependent on drugs or alcohol, you might be willing to do whatever it takes to feed your habit and this also makes the risk of exploitation higher.
Sometimes if a person is trying to control you, they will attempt to separate you from your family and friends. You can be left feeling very isolated and as well as the impact on your mental health, it can make it more difficult to ask for help and find a way out.