As part of a collaborative project with our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Team, Wyke Sixth Form College students that are part of the Pre-Legal Justice Enrichment have created a series of short videos to help raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
The videos will be used as educational training pieces aimed at young people, as well as staff working in hotels and wider members of the public, helping them to recognise the signs, deal with, and report suspected CSE cases.
Following a series of training sessions with Detective Sergeant Richard Kirk who heads up our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Team, and Andrew Smith, Chair of the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership, the students fully researched the subject and worked closely with the police to create raw, impactful content that increases public understanding of crimes that are often hidden in plain sight.
Sitting in our Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, officers from the modern slavery team work relentlessly with partner agencies including charities, local authorities, health, local communities and businesses, as well as educational establishments, including young people, to create a positive forum to enhance knowledge, gather information, and ultimately work together to protect the most vulnerable within society.
By working on the project, the students gained a valuable insight into the subject area. Detective Sergeant Richard Kirk comments on the project: “Crimes of this nature are widely misunderstood and can often be disproportionately misrepresented as people tend to believe these crimes do not happen within their communities and neighbourhoods.
“Our main challenges have been raising awareness of exploitation where it is often hidden in plain sight and also working to safeguard people who don’t recognise themselves as victims in the first place. Trying to take someone out of a situation when they don’t realise that what is happening to them is actually a crime, is extremely difficult.
“That is why it is so important for us to engage with a students and younger audiences, to build understanding around crimes of this nature early on, getting them talking openly about it with their friends, families, and loved ones.
“I have been impressed by the hard work and support of the students and their tutors. They should be very proud to have produced this series of videos knowing it will help us advocate awareness of this horrific, often unseen crime.
“Collaborating with young people is vital; CSE is a difficult topic to approach young people with, but with early intervention it can help prevent offenders taking advantage of children. Not only this but knowing the signs can also make young people more vigilant, aware of their surroundings, and able to spot potential early signs in their friends and peers.
“The videos the students have produced are excellent and will be a great resource to help with this engagement, and will hopefully lead to more people, of all ages and backgrounds, to come forward if they see something that doesn’t seem right.”
Andrew Smith, Chair of the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership added: “Working with young people is crucial and through this project we have been creating conversations and developing solutions, as child exploitation in all its forms is an ever-growing concern.
“The National Referral Mechanism statistics for 2025 show an increase in the number of boys referred for criminal exploitation in the UK, however, the number of referrals for child sexual exploitation is much lower, indicating the need to continue to raise awareness amongst children, young people, and professionals.”
Jessica Addison, Teacher of Law at Wyke Sixth Form College, and coordinator of this project said: “Working alongside Humberside Police on this project has been an invaluable experience for our students and staff. Addressing child sexual exploitation is an extremely sensitive and challenging undertaking, but engaging with experts has enabled our students to approach the subject with maturity, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Our partnership with the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Team has given students a rare opportunity to see how academic study connects directly with real-world safeguarding. They have developed a deeper understanding of how exploitation can manifest, why it is so often hidden, and the crucial role that informed young people can play in recognising the signs.
We are incredibly proud of the commitment and professionalism our students have shown throughout this process. The videos they have created reflect both their hard work and their determination to contribute meaningfully to protecting vulnerable young people. It has been a privilege to collaborate on a project that will help raise awareness, prompt conversations, and support wider efforts to prevent exploitation within our communities. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the marketing department for bringing the videos to life.”
If you suspect someone you know, or someone within your community is being exploited, in any way, shape or form, you can contact our non-emergency number 101, or report online.
No matter how small, the information you provide could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need to protect people from exploitation, modern slavery and human trafficking, and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
We would always encourage you to call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is ongoing, and if you wish to report anonymously you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
There is also a dedicated Modern Slavery Helpline, just call 0800 0121 700.
Find out more about Operation Makesafe, a national initiative aimed at preventing child sexual exploitation, particularly in the hospitality industry, encouraging people to ‘Look Again’: Launch of our ‘Look Again’ campaign | Humberside Police
