CSE Taskforce
TOEX continues to deliver against governmental and policing priorities in support of the investigation and disruption of high-harm threats. This is evidenced by the launch of the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Taskforce, which has been established to enhance the policing response to group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Alongside partners, the taskforce will improve:
- How we prepare our response to threat
- How we protect children from exploitation and abuse
- How we prevent group-based child sexual exploitation
- How we pursue those that perpetrate crimes and bring more offenders to justice.
TOEX is already working hard to support forces and bring perpetrators to justice as part of tactical activity across the national network; however, it’s clear there is much more to be done.
Led by the Hydrant Programme, TOEX, alongside the VKPP, will support the implementation of the CSE Taskforce, to identify and protect vulnerable children, whilst also improving national support for police forces in tackling sexually exploitative crime against them. In addition, we will increase the confidence of both victims and survivors, and the wider public in the policing approach to tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse.
TOEX’s role is to develop intelligence opportunities in support of force safeguarding and crucially to identify and disrupt the activity of CSE perpetrators, breaking the cycle of abuse.
Click here to read more about some of our case studies.
Following the launch of the CSE Taskforce, Ian Critchley, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Child Abuse, said:
“We have made significant improvements in how we respond to child sexual exploitation in the past decade. The Government’s formation of a new taskforce will help enhance our action against offenders acting in groups and protect children from these appalling crimes.
“Child abusers come from all parts of our society and sadly most abuse happens in the home; police forces target all offenders – no matter who they are or where they come from.
“Our police action needs to be supported by individuals acting on and reporting concerns and organisations treating their duties to protect children with the utmost seriousness. It should also be supported by a rigorous legal duty on tech companies to keep children safe online and report more offenders. The Online Safety Bill is a critical opportunity to achieve this and make our society safer for children.
“To victims of abuse, please speak out. Whether you speak to our dedicated and trained police specialists or brilliant support services, you will be listened to, taken seriously and supported.”