When you working alongside fostering agencies in Nottingham like Fostering Dimensions, we work with you for the same end goal, protection for foster children. The ultimate goal is to place foster children into the right care, the right homes and with the right people. Unfortunately, the world can be a scary place and child exploitation is something that is very real.
Child exploitation happens over a course of time and systematic grooming by an individual or collective group of people who lure victims by building trust and establish control. There are different levels of child exploitation that can occur, differing from online, offline and even in their immediate community and social groups. We, amongst other fostering agencies in Nottingham work hard to combat this and help foster carers and foster children to pick up on signs of exploitation. There are different types of grooming and in many instances, children can be subject to threats, blackmailing and blinded by gifts, drugs and money. Their end goal – to gain unlimited control over children and young adults by breaking down their boundaries and relationships with friends and families.
In this article, we’re going going to look at some of the examples of grooming models that happen day to day and highlight some common indications that it may be occurring. As a foster carer, it’s good to know and look out for signs in the hope you never have to act upon them.
Before we start, it’s very important to remember that child exploitation can occur in other ways and forms than listed in this articles and there are different experiences for every child. It’s a shame but it’s not always easy to notice. However, with the right signs to look for, hopefully with help from fostering agencies in Nottingham, we can protect children more.
Fostering agencies in Nottingham can help you to spot the signs of friend to friend exploitation
This kind of grooming is whereby kids of similar ages, whether it be from school or other social groups are targeted online and are encouraged to act in certain manners or participate in activities that are dangerous or illegal. There are some obvious signs that you can pay attention to and are common for peer to peer exploitation.
- New peers or social groups you have never seen before. This is particularly important if they decide to ditch their old friends and start hanging out with kids you have never heard of.
- Your foster children become more distant than usual and when interactions occur, they are more aggressive in nature.
- Over use of their devices such as phones and laptops and even more so if they become increasingly protective or argumentative because of them.
- Spending more and more time on the internet – if this isn’t normal then it may be worth keeping an eye on how much they’re actively using it.
Befriending within a social group they’re already a apart of is something that also should be considered. Sometimes the ‘friends’ you should be aware of are the ones who begin to act suspicious by controlling others within the friendship group. The victim is usually introduced via a friend they trust so this can be less obvious when it is occurring.
Relationships
Fostering agencies in Nottingham are very cautious of the fact that most relationships are genuine and it is a situation you have to treat with care as you don’t want to jeopardise any relationships, including those with your foster children. One of the most psychologically-harmful grooming methods is by ‘pimping’ or posing as a ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend’ model; an easy way to pose as a significant other and even going as far as starting sexual relationships to try and gain a wider control and con victims into thinking they are cared and loved for. This will mostly come in the form of gifts and attention, however, this can come with the expectation of returning the ‘favour’ in the form of sexual activities.
Activities and social gatherings
Often, predators will host parties and social gatherings as a way to make them feel comfortable and lure them in. In social environments, it’s easy for them to get closer to their victims. This is a clever tactic as a way to find a common ground when it comes to exploring alcohol, drinking, parties and sex and drugs. Young people often don’t realise the dangers that can lay ahead when they simply think they’re going to a party with some friends.
Fostering agencies in Nottingham are working around the clock to help current and future foster parents to pick up on the signs and act as a support network for anyone who needs it. Fostering Dimensions provides homes for vulnerable children and young adults in Nottingham and across the UK. For more information on how to become a foster parent, get in touch today. If you’re already a foster parent and want to discuss any of the details outlined above, call us directly.