There has been a wealth of research undertaken by various agencies in respect of children who go running and missing from home and children who are at risk of sexual exploitation. Each of these reports has made significant recommendations in respect of multi agency responses for the protection of these vulnerable groups of children. What has become apparent throughout the research is the very close correlation between children who do go running and missing from home and the associated increased risk of sexual exploitation and potential for trafficking.
Sexual exploitation is often hidden and it is suspected that more young people than is known about are being sexually exploited. It is expected that every area in the country has issues relating to their young people being at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation unless a Local Authority has clear evidence to the contrary.
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