New materials to prevent child sexual exploitation for profit

From silence to action: New tool for professionals working with children

Today, ChildX launches a brand new methodology to prevent and stop child sexual exploitation for profit. The material is built to suit all children, including those with neuropsychiatric and/or intellectual disabilities, who are twice as likely to be exposed to violence and sexual abuse according to the Swedish Children’s Hospital Foundation’s report More vulnerable than others (2022).

The material has been developed within the project Identifiera flera, which is supported by the Swedish Inheritance Fund and runs until July 2026. With a clear child rights and survivor perspective, the material will help adults to detect and act earlier in case of suspected abuse.

– We know that many adults do not know how to approach these conversations. The material is there to lower the thresholds. It provides knowledge, concrete guidance and empowers professionals to dare to ask – and know how to ask,” says Johanna Prins, project manager of Identifiera flera.

The material contains, among other things:

• A guide for professionals in schools, social services, associations and other activities that meet children and young people.
• A dialog support with concrete discussion questions and illustrations designed to work for all children, with special consideration for children with neuropsychiatric disabilities and intellectual disabilities.
• A short film and educational material for young people to explain what commercial sexual exploitation is – and to show that help is available.
• A teacher’s guide and links to the curriculum to facilitate use in schools.

Children and young people have been active throughout the process – from idea to finished material. Over 180 young people have participated in workshops, and a reference group of young adults with lived experience of childhood sexual exploitation has provided crucial input.

– We have tried to start from the idea that “all children are in the room”. This affects how we formulate ourselves, the images we use and how we talk about responsibility and guilt. It has helped us to create something that is gentle, accurate and really useful,” says Johanna Prins.

During the spring, ChildX supports the start-up of local initiatives around the country – including in Borlänge and Västerås – and offers free implementation support to municipalities and organizations that want to use the material.

– To protect children and young people, we need to understand their world. Grooming and sexual abuse are a reality for many, especially young people with NPF and IF. To dare to see and act, we need knowledge and tools. Therefore, I am grateful for our collaboration with ChildX and their support material, says Helena Hermansson, educator and project manager for the Tolerance Project in Borlänge.

The material is freely available at https://childx.se/identifieraflera/

– Stopping the commercial sexual exploitation of children requires systemic change. This material is a step in the right direction – but it needs to be used. That’s why we want to work with others,” says Ida Östensson, Secretary General of ChildX.