Look Closer Campaign - The Children's Society

Hello Resident

#LookCloser Campaign

Across the country, young people are being manipulated, sexually abused, forced to launder money and deal drugs. Exploitation isn't obvious. But it happens everywhere. And you can stop it. Get to know the signs of child exploitation and how to report it through our award-winning #LookCloser campaign with the British Transport Police and National County Lines Coordination Centre. Together we can protect children from this abuse.

Look Closer campaign

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When someone builds a relationship with a child to manipulate them, this is known as grooming. It happens online and offline. The child may then be sexually abused, forced into labour, made to launder criminal money, or coerced into transporting drugs or stealing from shops. These are types of child exploitation. 

Young people are targeted at fast food outlets, shopping centres and parks. They are forced to travel on trains, buses, coaches and use roadside services for rest stops. It can also happen 'behind closed doors' in hotels, salons, car washes. Or online through gaming platforms and social media.

It can happen anywhere and any child can be exploited. By learning to spot the signs and how to report them, we can keep children safe from this abuse.