#NotMyShame child exploitation campaign launches in Nottinghamshire

18 March 2025

We are committed to preventing and protecting children and young people from exploitation. Child exploitation includes child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation, radicalisation, modern slavery, human trafficking and honour-based violence. We want to be clear that the shame of these crimes does not belong to the victims and their families, but to those who commit these crimes.

We recognise that identifying, understanding, tackling and preventing the exploitation of children is a complex task that requires a co-ordinated and collaborative approach from partners, children and young people and their families, and communities.

Reporting concerns of child exploitation

If you are concerned that a child is being exploited you can report to the police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Concerns can also be reported to the multiagency safeguarding hubs (MASH):

Potential signs and indicators of child exploitation:

Grooming/coercion

  • Involved in dangerous and/or offending behaviour
  • Threats of harm/actual harm to child and/or family
  • Excessive receipt of texts/phone calls and/or having multiple handsets
  • Receiving or sharing explicit or harmful material
  • Inappropriate sexual knowledge and/or reports of sexual harm
  • Travelling/being transported: unexpectedly, secretly, regularly to unknown addresses, out of area, in taxis, on trains, private cars
  • Suspected drug related activity and found with drugs, scales, money
  • Carrying/using weapons
  • Sudden changes in friendships or associates, particualrly with controlling/older individuals or groups
  • Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks
  • Arrested, linked to County Lines/drug debts or found in cuckooed properties

Changes in behaviour

  • Going missing from home, care or school and/or being found out-of-area
  • Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones
  • Withdrawal; becoming secretive, distant, or avoiding social interactions and activities
  • Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being
  • Offending behaviour including antisocial behaviour

Social media and technology

  • Secretive online communication/hiding online interactions and activities
  • Excessive online presence: spending excessive time on social media or devices; multiple online identities
  • Online contact with individuals of concern: forming connections with individuals resulting from grooming
  • Use of the dark web: knowledge of/accessing/trading

Health implications

  • Self-care: neglecting personal hygiene, nutrition, or health maintenance
  • Mental health issues: emotional distress, anxiety, depression, self-harm
  • Drug and alcohol use: substance misuse as a coping mechanism
  • Unexplained injuries: unexplained cuts, bruises, or other physical harm
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): health issues that may indicate concerning sexual activity

East Midlands Regional Children & Young People's Sexual Assault Service (Nottingham Base)

The service helps children and young people under the age of 18 who have experienced rape or sexual assault in the East Midlands. They have specially trained pediatrician / Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) and support workers to care for children and young people. 

Not My Shame

#NotMyShame was started by Emma-Jane Taylor, campaigner, survivor and charity founder, and more information about her campaign can be found online #notmyshame

Scroll to top of page