CROP supports parents and carers whose children are being (or are at risk of being) sexually exploited. For over a decade CROP has been the only organisation working with parents affected by child sexual exploitation.
Since 2002, CROP has worked with over 400 families and has developed expertise in this distinctive area, which lies outside the range of the every day knowledge and experience of most people, including many professionals.
Through both one-to-one and peer support, CROP strives to enable parents to be proactive agents in helping their own child in the context of their whole family. CROP aims to enable parents to bring their expertise and hard-earned passion to the ongoing task of eliminating child sexual exploitation in society.
Parent support
CROP offers a range of support to parents and carers addressing issues relating to child sexual exploitation. Our volunteer service complements the work of parent support workers and may provide additional support.
Information and advice
CROP provides information about the grooming and sexual exploitation processes, and can help parents identify whether their children are being abused. CROP works with parents in their efforts to protect their children if it becomes clear that they are being exploited and offers some pointers on how parents can respond to the complex behaviours of a sexually exploited child or young person. CROP also provides information and advice relating to the roles of other agencies, legislation, prosecution and court proceedings.
Emotional support
Having supported hundreds of families over the years, CROP understands parents’ feelings of devastation, isolation and guilt when they discover their child is being, or has been, sexually exploited. Consequently, CROP’s experienced parent support team offers non-judgemental emotional support to affected parents and carers.
Advocacy and accurate representation of the family
CROP aims to ensure that parents are valued as equal partners in the process of keeping their children safe. CROP works towards making sure that parents’ voices are heard, understood and responded to appropriately by the professionals working to protect children. As independent advocates working alongside parents, CROP supports parents and carers in their relationships with other professionals. CROP also supports parents’ struggles for effective safeguarding measures to protect their children.
Opportunities to meet other affected parents
CROP arranges events to enable affected parents to meet each other, share experiences and offer one another support. This is done through local parent support groups and at biannual national parent network days.
