LAST year, police forces across Yorkshire recorded an average of almost three child sexual exploitation crimes logged by police every day, with 949 offences logged in the 12 months to March 2022.

In the same period in England and Wales, there were 17,486 crimes logged by police where children had been sexually exploited - an average of 48 offences a day, and an increase of 10per cent on the previous year.

Our colleagues in the Childline service also recorded an increase in the number of counselling sessions with young people about sexual exploitation and abuse, from 5,962 to 6,230.

Some young people had been manipulated into performing sexual activities after being given money, drugs or affection, while others were sexually exploited after being trafficked from home, threatened with violence or the promise of a better life.

To help children who are at risk or already experiencing sexual exploitation, we're launching a new campaign, The Full Story. This will help young people recognise signs of sexual exploitation and understand what a healthy relationship is. We're sharing a series of videos telling the stories of young people who have experienced exploitation. In one film, a 15-year-old girl stands outside a party with her older boyfriend. Within seconds, she is plied with alcohol by him then sexually exploited. We hope the videos, which are being shared on social media, will encourage children and teenagers at risk of or already suffering sexual exploitation to seek help. We’re also putting up posters at bus stops, motorway service stations, cinemas, colleges, Pupil Referral Units, youth centres, hostels, children’s homes, GP surgeries and sexual health clinics.

The campaign is also focussed on getting more young people to connect with Childline. While more children are contacting Childline for support, there may be reasons preventing others from speaking out. Some are exploited by a partner, someone in a position of authority, or a family member. Some young people tell us they blame themselves, while others remain silent due to fear of their abuser. One girl who was abused by her father when she was younger, told counsellors: “I’ve been raped by my boyfriend. He's been giving me drink and drugs. I’ve considered going to the police but he said he will show people sexual videos of me.”

The campaign name, The Full Story, alludes to mixed feelings a child who is being sexually exploited may experience. We want young people to know they are never to blame for what’s happening to them and that the NSPCC and Childline are here to help.