Fighting Child Sexual Exploitation

A deeply troubling issue that affects care leavers is the vulnerability to Child Sexual Abuse (CSE). While the link between care experience and sexual exploitation or violence is not direct, the facts remain that CSE is closely associated with their status as care experienced individuals. Factors such as instability, a lack of sense of belonging, frequent placement moves, and feelings of unsafety within the care system contribute to the vulnerability of looked-after children and care leavers.

Instability, insecurity, and a sense of not belonging have adverse impacts on care leavers. Negative experiences, including sexual abuse where appropriate boundaries have been violated, further increase their vulnerability. Many victims of CSE have also experienced developmental trauma, resulting from adverse childhood experiences such as neglect, emotional and physical abuse, or living in households affected by domestic violence, mental health issues, and substance misuse. These experiences, combined with the care experience, amplify their vulnerability.

Child Sexual Exploitation - Samantha Sykes Foundation

How can we make a difference?

The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust is dedicated to addressing the underlying causes and consequences of CSE and providing the right therapeutic interventions at the right time for victims and survivors. We are working tirelessly to reduce the health and social inequalities experienced by looked-after children, care leavers, and victims of child sexual exploitation. Our interventions focus on empowering these individuals to access further and higher education and providing them with the support they need to heal, grow, and thrive.

  • We work to provide funds to help children and young people access counselling, specialist therapy, medical support and other therapeutic interventions.
  • In the past, we have worked in partnership to support the Hand-in-Hand project, who undertake work with victims of child sexual exploitation.
  • Our in-house specialist therapy services are currently commissioned to provide time-limited interventions to children and young people who are victims of, or at high risk of, child sexual exploitation. This includes trauma counselling and Art Psychotherapy. The funding for this service is provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner or from Government grants and is not paid for from fundraising events and donations unless explicitly requested
Eric speaking with West Yorkshire Family Liason Officers

Other Ways We Help

We offer informative presentations and awareness-raising programs to a wide range of professionals, including the Police, Social Care workers, researchers, nurses, medical professionals, and educational institutions. Our goal is to equip these professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals.

Our dedicated team of Trustees has worked closely with NHS England on issues surrounding Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and care-experienced children and young people. Additionally, we have collaborated with several third-sector organisations, such as ‘Women’s Aid,’ to address domestic abuse issues and ensure support for those affected.

We actively engage with commissioners and stakeholders to review policy and service specifications, ensuring effective strategies are in place to protect and support vulnerable individuals. By advocating for change at a systemic level, we strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.

The Safe House Project

We aim to raise £300,000 by 2025 to provide a safe house to help people at risk of sexual exploitation. Our goal is to develop a therapeutic safe house to support young people involved in ongoing prosecution cases. In doing so, we hope to help these people rebuild their lives and reach their full potential by ensuring their safety and offering therapeutic support.

You can contribute to sheltering young people from violence and exploitation in the Yorkshire region by giving today.