Approximately 1 in 20 children in the UK have experienced sexual abuse. Girls and older children are more likely to be affected, with the majority of cases involving someone known to the victim.

Information & Resources

Understanding Sexual Violence and Exploitation Against Young Women and Girls

Raising awareness, challenging harmful societal norms, and ensuring accessible resources are key to preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.

What does it mean?

Explaining some of the key terms and expressions

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence refers to any sexual act committed against a person without their consent. This includes rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and coercion. It can happen in different settings, including homes, workplaces, schools, and online. Sexual violence is a violation of bodily autonomy and can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on survivors.
Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation occurs when someone takes advantage of a person’s vulnerability for sexual purposes, often for financial gain, power, or control. This includes trafficking, grooming, and forcing or manipulating individuals into sexual activities. Young girls and women, particularly those facing socio-economic hardships, are at greater risk of being exploited.
Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves any unwanted sexual activity where the victim is unable to give informed consent. It often involves manipulation, threats, or force. Abuse can occur within families, relationships, institutions, or through online interactions. Survivors of sexual abuse may experience fear, shame, and long-term emotional trauma.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Gender-based violence is any harm directed at a person based on their gender. It includes physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, as well as threats and coercion. GBV disproportionately affects women and girls and is often rooted in power imbalances, societal norms, and discrimination.

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Key Statistics

Showing some of the alarming figures and data that survivors have been affected by

Increase in Online Abuse: In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) investigated a record 392,660 reports of suspected child sexual abuse imagery, confirming 275,655 URLs containing such content. Notably, 92% of this material was “self-generated,” where children were coerced or groomed into producing explicit content via webcams. Alarmingly, there was a 66% increase in imagery featuring children under 10 compared to the previous year.

Internet Watch Foundation, January 2024

Recorded Offences: Police in England and Wales recorded almost 87,000 sexual offences against children in the year 2022/2023, encompassing crimes such as rape, sexual assault, grooming, and exploitation

NSPCC, January 2024

Prosecutions and Convictions: In 2023/2024, there was a 15% increase in prosecutions for child sexual abuse offences, with 9,215 defendants prosecuted. However, prosecutions specifically for sexual exploitation offences decreased by 20% during the same period.

CSA Centre, March 2025

Impact & Support

Explaining some of the effects and sharing the types of support available for survivors

The Impact of Sexual Violence Against Young Women and Girls

The effects of sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors may experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and difficulties in relationships. Many also face stigma and barriers when seeking justice or support.

Support and Protection

Addressing sexual violence and exploitation against young women and girls requires a multi-faceted approach, including survivor-centered support, legal protection, education, and advocacy. Services such as independent sexual violence advocacy (ISVA), trauma-informed care, and specialist housing provide crucial support for survivors.

Do you need help?

Our Get Help page directs you to the support you need, from experienced professionals.

Refer someone for support today

Are you a professional looking to refer an individual for specialist support? We provide residential care and advocacy services to help young girls and women rebuild their lives after exploitation and sexual violence. Our trauma-informed services are designed to break down barriers and empower survivors with the support they need.

Make A Referral

Resources

Seeing how lives can be changed forever

Watch the trailer here

Repost was created to highlight the child sexual and criminal exploitation of young girls in London.

To watch the film, click here (YouTube).

Film Synopsis

‘Repost’ follows the life of Sasha, a talented young artist living on her own in a semi independent housing unit. Sasha falls for the lures of a young lover who introduces her to a new way of making money.

Her world seems to be changing, her social media followers increasing, her love life developing and she can finally afford more than the basics.

Sasha quickly discovers that this new lifestyle doesn’t come without it’s risks, when one night changes her life forever.

Partnerships

Our Partners in making the world a better place for girls and young women.