Commercial Sexual Exploitation: What can I do about it?

The nature and scale of sexual exploitation can make it difficult to feel we can make much of a difference. The UK’s Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline had 11,464 reports in 2024, representing near 5,000 victims of slavery and exploitation. The Centre for Social Justice estimates that there could be 100,000 caught in slavery in the UK.

It can be tempting, therefore, to feel defeated and think there is nothing we can do. But as Christians, we are concerned about sexual exploitation, and there are a number of practical things that we can do that will make a difference.

The first and most important thing we can do as Christians is pray. James reminds us that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
(James 5:16) The Bible repeatedly asks us to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3) One of the significant ways we can do that is through prayer.

As Christians we can commit to praying for an end to sexual exploitation in the UK and beyond. We can pray for those trapped in prostitution, those enslaved by their desire to pay for sex, and for those in government bringing legislation to combat the demand for sexual exploitation.

If you would like further information to guide your prayers, take a look at our resource, ‘Seven ways to pray about commercial sexual exploitation’. You might also want to view or download our Prayer Diary which gives daily guidance about praying for this and other important issues. You can also sign up to receive the CARE Prayer Diary by post, free of charge.

It may be that people are being sexually exploited in your local community without you being aware of it. It can be useful to be acquainted with the signs of exploitation and alert to the possibility of it happening where you are.

Unseen, who run the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, detail the following signs that could indicate that someone is being sexually exploited:

• Appearing frightened, withdrawn, confused or intimidated
• Being closely guarded by others
• ‘Branded’ with a tattoo indicating ownership
• Signs of physical abuse, including bruising, scarring and cigarette burns
• Unable to keep payment and have restricted or no access to their earnings
• Have limited English vocabulary, restricted to sexualised words
• Male visitors call day and night and who only stay for a short time
• Signs of sexual activity, such as cards and advertisements nearby
• A number of female foreign nationals living at the same address
• Sleeping at the premises where they work could indicate a brothel is operating

If a child you know is being groomed for sexual exploitation, you might see some of these signs:

• Meeting a new person online but not in person. This new friend might be in a different country and may even plan a trip which is booked by someone else.
• Sudden changes in behaviour, such as spending more or less time online
• Going missing from home or school
• Having unexplained gifts, big or small
• Having a friendship or relationship with a much older person
• Using sexual language you wouldn’t expect them to know

In your local area, you might see a woman who is looking scruffy and undernourished, walking up and down the street. She might be loud and shouting, leaning into car windows to speak to the drivers. You might spot a man hanging around a street corner more than once, or cars going slowly up and down the street day and night. Perhaps you notice different people going in and out of a house at all hours, with sounds of violence and the area around the property is surrounded by needles and bottles. The women who live there seem scared and don’t have very much English.

All of these things could mean that women are sexually exploited, men are paying for sex or a brothel is being operated. If you notice things like this, it can be very helpful to keep a written log of what you see, along with where it is happening and the date and time that you see it. If you can safely and discreetly make note of any car registrations, do that as well.

Being aware of the signs of sexual exploitation is helpful, but only if we report those signs to people who are able to act on that information.

If you believe an adult or a child is being trafficked and is in immediate danger, you should call 999 straight away. Many people might be wary of calling the emergency services out of fear of wasting police time. However, if you suspect someone is in direct danger of harm, especially if that person is under 18, then do not be afraid to call 999 and report your concern.

If you have suspicions of exploitation which are less urgent, you can report your suspicions to the police by calling 101, or visiting your local police station in person. If you want to, you can also tell the police that you would like to remain anonymous when you report your concerns.

Additionally, you can contact your Local Authority Adult or Child Safeguarding Team, or call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700. You can also report concerns about exploitation, whether sexual or not, online at https://www.unseenuk.org

As much as it is helpful to highlight these actions of observing and reporting, it is also important to be aware of what not to do.

Do not put yourself in danger. If you witness something that is aggressive or dangerous, move away to a safe place and call the police. Do not follow someone or enter into isolated buildings.

Do not act as a ‘saviour’. It might be tempting to jump in and try to ‘fix’ a situation that you observe, but it could make things worse and put you in danger. Instead, report your concerns to the police and call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline for advice.

Do not ignore your concerns. There is a danger that we can dismiss our observations and ignore our worries about situations and individuals. We have a duty to care for those around us, and we cannot think that ‘someone else will report it’. Reporting your concerns can have a real and lasting effect on those who are trapped in sexual exploitation. You can make a difference.

At the start of his book, the prophet Isaiah calls God’s people to: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” (Isaiah 1:17) We have a calling as Christians to support and advocate for those who are oppressed and exploited.

This is something we at CARE take very seriously. We want to see politics renewed and lives transformed in every area of life, including sexual exploitation. We work to be a voice for the marginalised and vulnerable, working with politicians from all parties to promote hope-filled solutions to issues such as this.

You can be involved in politics yourself and engaged with the issue of sexual exploitation. You can write to your MP to ask them to stand up for the oppressed, and to thank them when they pursue good solutions for the sexually exploited.

You can also support those who are working directly with those in prostitution. Most of us are not trained and equipped to do this work, but we can stand behind those who are. Tamar and Azalea are two such organisations doing work with people in the sex industry.

Most of us may not interact directly with someone involved in prostitution and those being sexually exploited. But if we do, we should do as Jesus did and treat them with compassion.

Someone may come into your church, especially if you have a cafe ministry during the week, who looks malnourished and afraid. You can show them welcome and kindness. Buy them some food, but it is best not to give them money directly, as this might be spent on drugs or alcohol, or most likely taken away by those who are exploiting them. Be a safe space for them in a world that probably feels entirely unsafe most of the time.

In the end, any interaction we have with someone who has been sexually exploited ought to be the same as an interaction any other person: treating them with honour, respect, love, and compassion, as someone made in the image of God and loved by Him. That should guide what we do in every circumstance and among every kind of person.

This article draws on the advice from People Against Sex Trafficking (PAST) and their sex trafficking toolkit. You can read more at https://www.azalea.org.uk/past