Tackling child exploitation: Derby and Derbyshire charity responds to National Audit

Following the recent release of Baroness Casey's report on the National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the SEO of Safe and Sound – Derby and Derbyshire's child exploitation charity, has issued a statement:

Tracey Harrison said: “We must address the uncomfortable truth that child exploitation occurs everywhere, including Derby and Derbyshire, despite the common misconception that "it doesn't happen here." It's a sad reality that vulnerable young people, particularly those with disabilities or in challenging circumstances, are at higher risk. As a community, we must unite to protect our children.

“We fully support the recommendation for professionals to collect better data, as we know child sexual exploitation is significantly underreported. In Derby and Derbyshire, we have a strong foundation of regular information sharing between statutory and voluntary agencies, though we acknowledge there's still more we can all do.

“As referred to on page 25 of the review, Safe and Sound played a crucial role, both nationally and locally through Operations Retriever and Kern – the first prosecutions for Child Sexual Exploitation in Derby and Derbyshire, in raising awareness and initiating our multi-agency collaborative efforts to combat this abhorrent and frequently concealed crime.

“We hope this report leads to more long-term funding for victim support and efforts to combat child exploitation. We also want to see a more integrated approach within the criminal justice system, so young victims don't face lengthy waits for their cases to be heard and for perpetrators to be brought to justice. Our work is deeply victim-centred and trauma-informed, providing support for as long as each child needs it. We've seen a significant increase in our caseload, from supporting 100 young people in 2019 to nearly 400 in 2023/24.  

“Our focus must remain firmly on the support of victims of child criminal exploitation. We must end victim blaming and the suggestion that young people contribute to their own exploitation. As Casey wisely stated, "we need to treat children as children."