Who we are

Every day children are subjected to sexual exploitation. The effects this can have on their lives and their family’s lives are devastating and irreparable. NWG are a network dedicated to helping combat child sexual exploitation (CSE), to raise awareness and to provide information and support to voluntary and statutory services who fight alongside us.

35% of all recorded sexual crimes in England and Wales in 2012/13 (53,540 overall) were child sexual exploitation of under 16s. More than one in three of the children sexually abused by an adult kept their horrific secret to themselves. Four out of five children who experienced sexual contact from someone they knew were too terrified to tell.

That’s where we come in. We help over 530 organisations, reaching thousands of professionals all determined to give the right support for victims, and ultimately to one day stop CSE from ever happening again.

Our principal objective is to offer support and advice to those working with children and young people under eighteen who are affected by sexual exploitation.

It’s difficult work, but the outcomes make it worth it. Many of the people we work with were victims themselves, or personally know people who have been victimised. Some of the cases we hear about are too horrible to repeat. We organise regular forums, training events and surgeries concerning the fight against CSE.

Help us support the anti-CSE organisations and save the lives of our children. Their future is in your hands.

We all know becoming victim to this abuse has devastating effects on our children, their lives and their family’s lives. Whether you are already managing the strategic or operational response within your area, whether providing the research and validated learning from past cases, developing provision or resources, everyone is aiming to improve the outcomes for young people and their families.

The NWG Trustees oversee the work and ensure that initiatives respond to issues as they emerge from the networks’ direct contact with young people. The NWG Network plays a vital role – we are the linchpin that drives the development of policy and practice in the field and we can’t do this without the support of generous people like you – thank you.

Every year, on the 18 March, we host the National CSE Awareness Day. Take part and unite with millions of people against the vile acts of CSE. Take to your social media and show your personal pledge with the hashtag #HelpingHands.

Together we can help give victimised children and young people a hand to hold.