Climbing into a stranger's car offered 17-year-old Gemma an escape from the ritual of regular beatings dished out at home. Battered by her father, abused by her brother and deserted by her mother, the teenager clutched at the thrill of a ride. But, within a few months, this desperate diversion began to turn into something far more sinister. Two men would roll up in their car at midnight and wait for Gemma to leave her bed and join them in the vehicle.
Gemma's case is one of 55 examined in a research project that has identified a pattern of abuse and maps out warning signals to help professionals prevent sexual exploitation of young women.
Developed by children's charity the NSPCC and researchers at Middlesex University, the project is based on interviews and support work with 13- to 18-year-olds at risk of, or experiencing, sexual exploitation. It found that the most common early warning signs included getting into unknown men's cars, running away from home and truanting from school. In addition, many of the young women had harmed themselves or attempted suicide, had histories of physical or sexual abuse, and some used heroin.
The research report, It's Someone Taking a Part of You, published today by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, says a better understanding of the signs that teenagers are being "groomed" for sex is needed to prevent them being drawn into prostitution and violent abuse. It suggests ways in which schools and other agencies could collaborate to offer more effective protection.
Researchers divided the girls into three categories: those at risk of sexual exploitation (19 teenagers); those swapping sex for favours, such as a lift to college or in return for somewhere to stay (15); and those selling sex (21). They came from an inner London borough and a northern city. All had harrowing stories to tell, with many of the young women having experienced violent and abusive relationships with much older men.
Nina, a 16-year-old A-star GCSE student, fled from physical abuse at home into the arms of Karl, a violent boyfriend, who turned out to be a heroin addict. Nina, who had been diagnosed as clinically depressed, refused to leave Karl, despite the fact that he abducted her for a week, raped he, and tried to strangle her. She told researchers she stayed with him because she loved him and believed she could change him.
Fifteen other girls had been abducted by men referred to as their boyfriends, according to the report. Twenty-two had been raped. Many echoed Nina and were protective of their boyfriends.
Many girls do not regard themselves as swapping sex for favours. For Anya, a 14-year-old runaway, getting a roof over her head meant having sex with Steve, a man in his 30s. Anya, who had been sexually abused by a family member, soon regarded Steve as her boyfriend. However, she was asked to sleep with other men and bring girls to the flat. At one point, there were 12 men aged over 20 bringing in six girls Anya's of age.
It was only when one of the girls told Anya she thought Steve was a "sex dealer" that she realised what was happening. She went on to report him to the police after support from a voluntary agency and social services.
Jenny Pearce, head of the social policy research centre at Middlesex University and author of the report, says there was a "clear improvement" in the circumstances of some of the young women when schools, pupil referral units and educational welfare services had taken notice of the early warning signs and offered timely support.
"Education services can take a lead in helping to identify those who are most at risk of sexual exploitation," she says. "But they need support from other social work professionals in finding multiple solutions to the multiple problems these young women face."
She says there is a huge gap in services for teenagers and that social services and area child protection committees (ACPCs) could do more. While 90% of ACPCs have protocols on child prostitution, only 30% have specialist services for working with young people who have been sexually exploited.
"These cases are tragic," Pearce says. "Many of these young women have complex problems but are too depressed to seek the help they need. We have to have outreach vans that go out to them."
· It's Someone Taking a Part of You: a study of young women and sexual exploitation, is available at £12.95 plus £3 p&p on 020-7843 6029.
