Child sexual exploitation

The issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) has received increasing attention in recent years following a number of high-profile legal cases, a growing body of research evidence, and a series of policy imperatives clarifying agency responsibilities and expected responses to the issue. Acknowledging that awareness and understanding of CSE is, in many ways, still in its infancy – yet recognizing that there are clear expect-ations upon professionals in terms of their required responses to the issue – this chapter provides a synopsis of learning around CSE in terms of definition, identification and response. The chapter purposively does not consider issues specific to forensic gynaecology in terms of examination or aftercare, but instead refers the reader to Chapters 8 and 9 for a detailed expos-ition of these issues.