It is not right for someone to:

• threaten you or threaten to humiliate you if you don’t share images or carry out sexual acts
• say they will end your relationship if you don’t have sex
• ask or make you have sex or do sexual acts with other people
• share drugs/alcohol with you in return for sexual acts/sex
• give you money or gifts for sexual acts/sex
• ask for photos of you which are of a sexual nature or share them via social media
• ask you to travel to see them without telling your parents/carers.

If you feel you or a friend are being sexually exploited, please report it.

Keep yourself safe:

• real friends will not ask you to do things which you are not comfortable with
• you can say no
• think if you get offered something for free, what do they want in return?
• if your body is telling you something is not right, listen to it. If you feel unsafe you need to get out
• be careful what you share online, who you add online and what apps or games you play
• make sure people know where you are and where you are going
• if you are going to drink or use drugs remember they could put you in an unsafe situation.

How to get help

If you are in immediate danger call the police on 999. You can contact the police on 111 if the situation is not urgent.

The council's children's initial advice team - call 01325 406222

Number Forty

Child Sexual Exploitation & How to Keep Your Child Safe | NSPCC [external link]

Barnardo’s [external link]

Durham Police [external link]

Fearless [external link]

Out Of The Shadows [external link]

Videos

YouTube: Kayleigh's Love Story - a short film telling the true story of 15-year-old Kayleigh Haywood who was groomed, raped and murdered by a neighbour [external link]

YouTube: Tea Consent (Clean) - a short animated film about consent [external link]

Your online safety - BBC Bitesize - a series of short articles about keeping safe online [external link]