The ROSE Project

Please be aware of the impact of your language. Young people who have been exploited have been abused and they are not responsible for their abuse, for ‘risky decisions’ or not getting themselves out of abusive situations. Abusers gain and maintain control slowly and often subtly. They are often practiced in terms of grooming and tricking young people into staying with them, and even defending them to concerned people around the young person. It will often take time for a young person to understand that they were exploited, as they may feel as though they gave their consent to sexual activity. The blame and responsibility should be with the abuser for the situation, and plans should not focus on what the young person can do to change their situation, remove themselves from harm, rather on disrupting the abuser’s tactics of control and exploitation. Please challenge yourself every time you speak to a young person who has been harmed, that you do not encourage in your language any feelings or blame for their abuse.

We can see that exploitation does not end the day someone turns 18 years old. We set up a transition service for this age group 3 years ago. We wanted to support young people as they reach 18 and be a bridge for them as they see services fall away. Many times people do not recognise CSE in 16/17 year olds as they can legally consent to sex and may be deemed old enough to make ‘risky choices’. Whilst we acknowledge young people have increasing right to make decisions over their lives at this age, we also are passionate that they deserve protection from abusers like any other young person.