The PSNI Has Joined Us in Our Fight Against Child Exploitation

The Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) is joining us in our fight against child sexual exploitation (CSE), and has issued warning in hotels across Belfast to help customers, staff and asylum seekers who are residing in Home Office hotel accommodations recognize the signs.

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?

PSNI describes CSE adults encouraging, coercing, manipulating or deceiving minors into a sexual relationship or exploitative situation.

If further involves the minor being offered something on return for performing sexual acts. These offerings, may include, but are not limited to alcohol, cigarettes, gifts, money, drugs and affection.

CSE is a global issue that affects communities across the world and it could be happening in the places we live and work. Although public awareness on CSE has increased in Belfast, many children and young people are still victims.

While the PSNI has been working to raise awareness of the issue, their work is far from over.

What Does the PSNI Need From the Us?

The PSNI is calling on us to protect children who are at risk of being exploited, or to help those who are already victims.

We understand that CSE tends to take place in hotels, pubs, internet cafes and places licensed to sell alcohol. Taxis are also used to transport young people, who are later exploited. Thus, it is our collective responsibility to help protect the rights of the child, and to stop CSE from happening.

What Are the Signs of CSE?

CSE isn’t always easy to spot. However, there are some discernible signs. The PSNI tells us that we should talk with a supervisor and contact the police if we come across a situation that looks or feels suspicious. In other words, we must not ignore behaviours that are inconsistent with the rights of the child.

What We Must Look Out For?

In hotels, we must look out for adult guests who appear secretive about their visit or trying to conceal their meetings with a young person.

Example: A guest may arrive in a hotel with a young person, and yet, the young person seems afraid, uncomfortable, or under the influence of alcohol.

Also, we must look out for adult guests who require rooms in complete isolation to all hotel guests, bookings made in a different name to what has been used to check in by adult guests, or last minute check-ins and walk-in bookings.

The PSNI’s poster tells us that we must also look out for numerous adults and young people that enter hotels, but who do not appear to have a reason for being there. For example, someone who has a high level of visitors or guests in their room. We must also pay attention to guests who move in and out of the premises regularly, at odd hours.

Example: Between 1:00 am to 4:00 am in the morning.

Another sign that we must look out for are the arriving of guests who ask for specific room numbers without knowing the names of the person or without having any connection to the person who is staying there.

Adult guests who have a pre-paid tab to a room where children stay, are involved in odd relationships with minors, and who do not have luggage or want their rooms cleaned or visited is another sign.

The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991. They are taking appropriate social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, which includes: injury, abuse, neglect, negligent treatment, maltreatment and CSE.

The PSNI’s protective measures helps the community report and support the child and those who have the care of the child.