Categories Education Running away/Going missing Sexualised Risk taking Rewards Contact with abusive adults and/or risky environments Coercion/Control Sexual Health Substance Use Emotional Health
1 Truanting from school. Regularly coming home late.

Absent without permission and returning late.

Overt sexualised dress/attire.

Getting into men's cars.

Meeting adults through the internet.

Unaccounted for monies and/or goods. Associating with unknown adults and/or other sexually exploited children. Reduced contact with family/friends. Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs.) Experimenting with alcohol/drugs. Poor self image.

Expressions of despair;

  • Internal
  • Cutting
  • Overdosing
  • Eating disorder
  • Sexualised risk taking
2 Non school attender/excluded.

Regular breakdown of school placements due to behavioural problems.

Frequently staying out overnight without explanation.

Episodes of running/going missing.

Persistently running/going missing from placement.

Looking well cared for despite having no known base.

Regular breakdown of placements due to behavioural problems.

Getting into men's cars.

Meeting adults through the Internet.

Clipping (offering to have sex and then running upon payment.)

Older boyfriend (5 + years.)

Unaccounted for monies and/or goods, especially jewellery and mobile phones. Associating with unknown adults and/or other sexually exploited children/young people.

Extensive use of phone, particularly late at night.

Having access to premises not known to parent/carer.

Reports from reliable sources, suggesting involvement in sexual exploitation.

Seen in known red light districts.

Limited contact with family/friends.

Disclosure of physical/sexual assault followed by withdrawal of allegation.

Physical injuries - external/internal.

Multiple STIs.

Miscarriages.

Terminations.

Regular use of substances.

Concerns for drug dependency.

Chronic low self esteem.

Expressions of despair:

  • Internal (Self-Harm)
  • Cutting
  • Overdosing
  • Eating disorder
  • Sexualised risk taking

External (Intensive Acting out):

  • Bullying/threatening   behaviour
  • Violent outbursts
  • Offending behaviour
3 Non school attender/excluded.

Regular breakdown of school placements due to behavioural problems.

Persistently running away/going missing from placement.

Pattern of street homelessness.

Older boyfriend (5+ years.)

Clipping (offering to have sex and then running upon payment.)

Unaccounted for monies and/or goods. Picked up in red light district.

Having access to premises not known to parent/carer.

Disclosure of physical/sexual assault followed by withdrawal of allegation.

Abduction and forced imprisonment (described by young people as 'locked in'.)

No contact with family/friends.

Disappear from system (no contact with support systems.)

Physical injuries - external/internal.

Multiple STI's.

Miscarriages.

Terminations.

Chronic drug dependency (particularly crack/heroin.) Chronic low self esteem.

Expressions of despair:

  • Internal (Self-Harm)
  • Cutting
  • Overdosing
  • Eating disorder
  • Sexualised risk taking

External (Intensive Acting out):

  • Bullying/threatening behaviour
  • Violent outbursts
  • Offending behaviour