Exploitation and Families

Exploitation and Families

Exploitation is a complex problem with social, legal, political, economic and ethical dimensions.

Exploitation includes sexual exploitation and/or criminal exploitation and/or human trafficking and/or labour exploitation and/or organ harvesting amongst others and affects people of different ages, sexes and communities. Exploitation has profound and damaging consequences for individuals exploited and those around them. Targeting and grooming of children often brings psychological implications for parents, other family members and communities. It can become almost impossible for them to carry on with their daily life and be able to respond effectively to the crises at hand.

They feel their lives have been turned upside down from a situation they have never anticipated. It can undermine parents’ capacity to respond proactively to the needs of their children. Lack of knowledge of the operation of abusers, patterns of grooming, and impact of exploitation on their children can contribute to crises, pushing parents into despair.

Families in such situations need advice and support.

IVison Trust (formally PACE) has been pioneering in support work for parents affected by child sexual exploitation. Founded by an affected parent, they continue to be driven by the experiences and needs of affected parents and work alongside them so that they can become active agents in responding to the sexual exploitation and abuse of their children.

More information on supporting parents can be found on websites including the Ivison website and St Giles website

More information about the direct effects of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) on Parents and Carers and Supporting Parents and Carers can be found in our resources library.