Beyond the Behaviour
This summer, across Teeside and Hartlepool, we are launching an awareness campaign about child exploitation.
We know that children are being harmed by exploiters, and too often it goes unseen. Beyond the Behaviour invites members of the public to think about whether young people they are seeing in their local area could be at risk of harm from exploitation.
For children and young people who are being harmed – exploiters will often mirror positive relationships that they have had in their lives, and work hard to create strong bonds of friendship and trust. This is why it is so important for the adults in their communities to know what tactics exploiters are using, so they can recognise when children might be in unsafe situations.
Funded by Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, the campaign has been launched as part of the Community Guardian programme, where we are offering free training, so we can support communities to understand how children are being groomed, and how to safely respond if they have concerns.
You can also access our telephone-based parent support team who offer parents and carers affected by child exploitation with practical safeguarding advice, emotional support and advocacy.
Evie
Evie was regularly seen shop-lifting in her town.
“I thought she was my friend at first. She gave me vapes, offered me lifts, and always acted like it was no big deal. I never thought I owed her anything.
Then she introduced me to her brother. He told me he’d paid for everything and that I owed them £500. When I said I couldn’t pay, he threatened to come to my house and get the money from my Mam. I was terrified.”
Riley
Riley could often be seen in his town, drinking with an older male.
“I met him through an online gaming chat. He seemed sound and introduced me to some of his mates. They were a bit older than me and made me feel welcome.
Over time, they started giving me alcohol and encouraging me to drink. One night, after it started raining, they suggested we hang out in the old public toilets in the park.”
Read Riley’s story
Zara
Zara was often at the bus shelter with groups of friends, drinking and vaping.
We always used to hang around at the bus shelter after school. That’s where I met Josh. He was my friend’s older cousin; he regularly bought us alcohol, it felt like he was a good guy, doing us favours because we couldn’t get served.
One day, he asked me to drop a bag off at his mate’s house. I didn’t know there were drugs inside.
Read Zara’s story
Support for Children and Young People
If you are worried that you are in a friendship or relationship that doesn’t feel right, or that someone is taking advantage of you, please reach out and talk to someone.
Support for Parents and carers
If you have concerns about a child, below are the contact details for your local Children’s Social Services Team. To understand more about how this process works when you make contact, have a read through of our Information page.
Hartlepool Children’s Hub
Middlesbrough Children’s Hub
Redcar Children’s Hub
Stockton-on-Tees Children’s Hub
If it is an emergency please call 999, or a crime has been committed, please call the police on 101
You can also access our telephone-based parent support team who offer parents and carers affected by child exploitation with practical safeguarding advice, emotional support and advocacy.