Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation conference
Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre
Hosted by Open Forum Events in partnership with Northern Powerhouse
The conference will bring together key stakeholders with safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, to examine the current situation, discuss recent initiatives and share best practice in protecting children from harm.
The majority of child sexual abuse takes place within a family setting by a person known to the child, whereas sexual exploitation typically occurs outside of the family and the abuser grooms the child to engage in sexual activity in return for something.
According to police-recorded crime data there has been a 10% increase in the number of child sexual exploitation crimes within the last year. In England and Wales during 2021/22 there were 17,486 crimes logged by police where children had been sexually exploited – an average of 48 offences a day.
Figures also reveal that there has been an increase in the number of recorded cases of Child Sexual Abuse to record levels. During 2021-22 the number of social care assessments identifying Child Sexual Abuse as a concern was nearly 34,000 indicating a 15% increase. Whilst the increase may reflect improved child protection and safeguarding awareness, there are many more unaccounted victims of sexual abuse who are unable to get help and are left unprotected.
The impacts of abuse and exploitation are far reaching and everyone who comes into contact with children has a duty to protect them from such harm and the Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation conference will provide a platform to explore how this can be achieved.
Delegates will benefit from an agenda of informative plenary presentations, interactive panel sessions and informal networking with peers and fellow professionals.