KCSIE 2026 covers CSE alongside child criminal exploitation in Part one (paragraphs 38 and 42 to 44), with more on indicators in Annex A. The Working Together 2026 glossary has a matching definition.
Points to know:
- Age. CSE can affect any child under 18, including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to sex (paragraph 44).
- Contact. It does not always involve physical contact. It can happen online, and can include others sharing images or videos of a child without them knowing (paragraph 43).
- Who does it. It can be one person or an organised network, and most sexual abuse is by people the child already knows. KCSIE 2026 added both points.
- The child's view. Some children believe they are in a genuine relationship and don't see themselves as victims. They can be criminalised for things they did under coercion.
Annex A lists signs that can point to exploitation, such as unexplained gifts or money, older boyfriends or girlfriends, going missing and changes in wellbeing.
KCSIE paragraph 38, new in 2026, says CSE may also be modern slavery, and that a child protection and modern slavery referral should be made where a potential victim is identified. In practice the DSL refers to children's social care, which can refer to the NRM.