Barnardo’s petition launched to get better justice for victims of child sexual exploitation

This week sees the launch of Barnardo’s Remember they are children campaign, in which the children’s charity is calling for our legal system to remember that young victims of sexual exploitation are children. You can support them by taking action today.

Why this campaign?

All too often, children who are sexually exploited tell Barnardo’s services that people’s perceptions of them mean they are either not believed or they are made to think that the sexual exploitation is their fault.

Sometimes this is just because they look mature for their age. It can be because their behaviour is seen as difficult or because they had sex at a young age and so are seen as sexually mature.

If these things are taken into account in a courtroom it can result in the abuse of sexual exploitation being seen as a less serious crime. What’s worse, the victim can be left thinking they are to blame for the abuse they suffered.

But a child or young person should never feel that it was their fault that they were sexually exploited, no matter how they look or behave. That is why it is vital our legal system remembers that they are children and that no child can ever truly agree to be sexually exploited.

How can we get change?

Legal guidelines currently enable children to be treated in the way that children have described to Barnardo’s. But fortunately they are currently being reviewed – this means we have an opportunity to change them.

We need as many signatures as possible to ensure a change in the legal system, so that victims of child sexual exploitation are always treated as children.

This is a great opportunity for you to make a difference to the lives of children and young people who have had a very difficult start to their lives. Ensuring a change in the legal system will be invaluable to them as they attempt to put the abuse behind them and move forward with their lives.

What can you do?

Sign Barnardo's petition.