Blog by one of our specialist sexual exploitation support workers:
Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ is a gripping and unsettling exploration of the complexities of modern youth, and it raises critical questions that directly intersect with the work we do at our What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) project.
This series, with its intense portrayal of a young person’s descent into violence, forces us to confront issues around online safety, image sharing, grooming, violence, gender stereotypes and harmful sexual behaviour.
‘Adolescence’ explores themes of:
- social isolation and vulnerability: how feelings of isolation and alienation can contribute to a young person’s susceptibility to harmful influences.
- the impact of the online world: how social media can perpetuate harmful messages and stereotypes; and how young people can feel pressured into sharing explicit images.
At WiSE, we recognise that these issues are not confined to fictional narratives. They are real and present concerns that we encounter in our work every day. Adolescence serves as a reminder of the urgent need for:
- education and awareness: we must equip young people with the tools to navigate the online world safely and to recognise harmful influences.
- early intervention: identifying and addressing signs of distress and vulnerability is crucial in preventing exploitation.
- support for families: families need support to understand the online world and how to keep their children safe.
- challenging harmful online cultures: there needs to be a constant push to make online spaces safer for children.
Adolescence is a difficult watch, but a necessary one. It compels us to confront the uncomfortable truths about the challenges facing young people today and reminds of the need for the important work that the community of YMCA DownsLink Group does every day.
How does our What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) project help?
Our programmes provide focused assistance for children and young people who have experienced or are at risk of sexual exploitation.
WiSE was founded in 2010 to combat child sexual exploitation in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove and Surrey. In 2018, our Advanced Child Sexual Exploitation Practitioner (ACSEP) Accredited team’s work supporting sexually exploited children was recognised by the CSE National Working Group, winning their Helping Hand Award. We won the Police Crime Commissioner Award for Sussex in 2023.
Our practitioners deliver specialist trauma-informed child sexual exploitation (CSE) interventions, training and support, alongside managing our Safer Online at Home project with Sussex Police. We receive referrals from police, statutory partners, parents and schools.
Our one-to-one sessions establish trust, improve the children’s and young people’s wellbeing and enable them to establish protective behaviours. The team works with parents to help them protect their children from harm.
In addition, we provide training to professionals such as teachers and social workers to deepen their understanding of sexual exploitation.
Our programmes help children and young people process trauma, recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships, understand consent, and develop protective behaviour around online safety, sexual health and pornography.
Read our 2017 report, The Sexual Exploitation on Boys and Young Men in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex
Find out more here: YMCA WiSE – YMCA DownsLink Group
