Parents’ voices – living with child exploitation

Hear directly from other affected parents, how they coped, the fights they battled, the impact the exploitation has had on their lives and how they are rebuilding them.

Self-care

Self-care tips
“It’s really important to remember that we will be dealing with the after-effects of CSE for years with our child, and so we need to approach our battle strategically.” Read on

Coping strategies

Remember them – a parent’s survival tip for living with a criminally exploited child.
I’m a married mother of two children from the Asian community. My husband and I both had good jobs and my son was well provided for – a happy child. Read on

Living with a missing child
I wanted to give other parents some advice that has helped us cope with the exploitation of our son. Read on

Nothing lasts forever – How I got out of the dark days
I felt very on my own when my son was being criminally exploited. Read on

Online abuse

Talking openly
My approach to my younger child about my daughter’s online abuse. Read on

My hope for change
I write this article with hope for change. As you more than likely know yourselves, there seems to be a major shortage of care for families affected by child sexual exploitation. Read on

We have the power to change things
My daughter was targeted for online abuse when she was 14 years old. Read on.

SEND (special educational needs and disabilities)

Beyond the tip of the iceberg
I am a mother of a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) young person, who has been a victim of child criminal exploitation. Read on

County lines

An approach of love – the antidote to criminal exploitation
When I realised that it was happening under my roof, that my son was being criminally exploited, I felt so many emotions – disbelief, guilt, shame; my pride in myself was shattered. Read on

Regaining my power
I’m the mother of a survivor of child criminal exploitation. Read on.

Stand your ground
At the time, I didn’t know that my son was being exploited through county lines. Read on.

Children’s social care services

Remember your power
“When dealing with all the agencies it’s easy to think you have no power, but you can hold on to the fact you are the professional when it comes to your child.” Read on

Always reply with love
“In the deepest, trying time of my life where I once had a home with love, laughter and joy, a dark and painful shadow entered our life.” Read on

How I coped when my daughter was removed from our home
“When my daughter was removed from me due to child sexual exploitation I didn’t feel as if I had any control over the situation.” Read on

Communicating with your son / daughter

How I kept communication going with my sons – Holding on
It was heart-breaking to see the change in them and to not only feel like you are losing your child….Read on