The AWARE Project - A Whole Approach to Reducing Exploitation
In recent years the media has brought the issue of child sexual exploitation into the spot light. Here at The Relationships Centre, in partnership with local government and other agencies, we are focusing on raising the awareness on how this issue affects children and young people in Warrington and Halton by ensuring they receive appropriate, targeted support.
Information for young people Information for professionals
What is Child Sexual Exploitation?
Sexual exploitation can take many forms from the seemingly "consensual" relationship where sex is exchanged for attention/affection, accommodation or gifts, to serious organised crime and child trafficking. What marks out exploitation is an imbalance of power within the relationship. The perpetrator always holds some kind of power over the victim, increasing the dependence of the victim as the exploitive relationship develops.
About the AWARE Project
- The AWARE Project at The Relationships Centre, funded by Comic Relief, is dedicated to engaging and supporting children & young people identified at risk of or who are being targeted for exploitative sexual relationships by other young people and adults.
- We also deliver training and awareness raising to professionals in Warrington & Halton in relation to child sexual exploitation.
- The AWARE project takes a multi-disciplinary approach, working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure young people receive the support they need.
- At AWARE we strive to provide a safe, accessible and professional service for children and young people involved in or vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
- We engage with each young person on an individual basis, developing a personalised action plan for them. We also take an advisory, advocative and facilitative role in supporting them to make positive choices and positive changes in their lives.
How to refer to the AWARE project
The AWARE project accepts referrals from Social Care. If you are not a Social Worker but you have concerns regarding the potential sexual exploitation of a child you should discuss your concerns in the first instance with Social Care who can make the referral to AWARE.
If you would like more information about safeguarding young people in Warrington, visit www.safeguardingwarringtonchildren.org.uk, alternatively for Halton, please go to www.haltonsafeguarding.co.uk.
