Judgemental attitudes

Parents encounter judgemental attitudes from professional service agencies, many of which are working with the stereotype that sexually exploited children come from dysfunctional families and that the parents are at fault. Parents are also met with indifference from professionals who may attempt to tell them that the child is just going through a phase or the pimp is actually a boyfriend. ‘Friends’ and relations can also be judgemental and parents may hear comments such as ‘It could never happen in our family...’.

 

A child is a person under the age of 18. Typically, perpetrators target children aged between 11 and 15.

'The true cost of sexual exploitation can NOT be underestimated. Destruction to our family life and the impact on our health and well-being has been truly unbelievable.'

Parent

'This has changed me. Nothing will ever shock me. I am not the same person, not myself. I am not emotional anymore.'

Parent

'It was like a volcano. We just could not cope.'

Parent

'It was horrendous for my older daughter. She felt she had to be this good child all the time. She felt pressurised.'

Parent