BASW position statement: The sexual exploitation of children and young people cared for away from home

BASW is the Professional Association for Social Workers in the United Kingdom. We seek to promote best practice in social work and to secure the well-being of social workers.
BASW is frequently asked to explain the position of the social work profession on current issues. These position statements seek to explain positions that we express on issues that arise frequently. They comprise statements in bold and commentary in italics. The commentary seeks to reflect our Code of Ethics, the views of our members expressed through our democratic structures, and our understanding of social work internationally as a practice-based profession and an academic discipline.
This position statement is about Child Sexual Exploitation. This term has been used in particular recently to refer to the systematic exploitation of children within the care system. This statement serves as a reminder that child sexual exploitation takes many other forms, as well as addressing that particular form of child sexual exploitation.