Protecting children from abuse
Keeping children and young people safe in the City of London is the responsibility of everyone, from all professionals to the general public.
Child abuse and child exploitation both cause significant harm and come in lots of different forms. It is important that everyone is aware of the different types of harm, how to recognise the signs, and what to do if you are concerned about a child.
Child abuse can cover a wide range of issues which includes:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Honour Based Abuse or Violence
- Witnessing domestic abuse or coercive control of others
- Fabricated Illness
You can find more information on the different types of harm that a child may be experiencing in the Pan London Child Protection Threshold and our City of London Threshold Document.
Children at risk of extra-familial harm
While harm sadly often takes place inside the home at the hands of family members, and others known to the child, there are also increasing risks outside of the family environment which can cause serious harm to children.
This includes:
- Child sexual exploitation
- Harmful sexual behaviour
- Child criminal exploitation
- County lines
- Child trafficking
- Radicalisation
- Online child exploitation
- Peer-on-peer exploitation
- Organised begging
- Serious Youth Violence
You can find out more about different types of harm in the 2021 Pan London Child Exploitation Protocol.
Exploitation occurs when children or young people are encouraged, trapped, forced or coerced into undertaking specific acts or activities. These may be sexual acts, carrying drugs, holding weapons, delivering parcels.
Those exploiting children may be older or more influential, but could also be of a similar age.
Often children are offered something that they want or need in return for performing these acts, such as gifts, money, clothing, alcohol, vapes, drugs, status, protection, affection or somewhere to stay.
Spotting the signs of exploitation can be hard and often these can look like typical adolescent behaviour. However, its advisable to remain curious and interested in the behaviours, friendship groups, communications, and whereabouts of children and young people.
If you are worried about a child
You can also contact us if you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person who lives in the City of London:
- Call 020 7332 3621 - Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
- Call 020 8356 2710 - Before 9am or after 5pm or any time on weekends and bank holidays
- Email the Children's Social Care and Early Help Team directly
- See our full contact details - Children's Social Care and Early Help Team
You can make referral to the Children's Social Care and Early Help Team by completing complete our multi-agency referral form and emailing it to Children's Social Care and Early Help Duty
Available advice and support
There is a wide range of advice and support available to parents, carers, and professionals on exploitation and extra-familial harm.