If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in Devon, please make a request for support or report a child safety concern.
In an emergency call 999.
Child sexual exploitation
Many people have heard about Child Sexual Exploitation happening in other parts of the country but find it hard to believe it's happening here in Devon. Being aware of it is the first step towards putting a stop to it.
Child trafficking and modern slavery
Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of men, women or children using force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means in order to exploit them.
County lines
‘County lines’ is the police term used to describe gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas, market and coastal towns across the UK using dedicated mobile phone lines. These organised crime networks exploit children and young people to store, move, sell and deliver their drugs, often making them travel across counties.
Domestic violence and abuse
Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a personal or family relationship. The most prevalent type of domestic abuse occurs in personal relationships.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child. It is sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a child’s mental health and wellbeing. Emotional abuse can take different forms.
Fabricated or induced illness
Fabricated or induced illness (FII) is a rare form of child abuse. It occurs when a parent or carer exaggerates or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in a child, and can cause significant harm both physically and emotionally.
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is when a girl’s genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed for no medical reason. It is also known as female circumcision or cutting. It is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and 15 years old.
Forced marriage and honour killings
Everyone has the right to choose who they marry and when they marry, or if they marry at all. Forced marriage is when someone does not consent and faces pressure to marry.
Online abuse
Online abuse is any type of abuse that happens on the internet, through social media, online gaming or mobile phones. Children and young people may be the victims of online grooming, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or emotional abuse.
Neglect – information for professionals
We are currently reviewing our Neglect strategy and associated docs. Please use continue to use the information below for the time being. August 2024 Nationally child neglect is the most
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is deliberately hurting or injuring a child. This could be caused by hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or other physical harm. This type of abuse can leave more than physical marks on the body.
Radicalisation and extremism
Radicalisation is when someone starts to believe or support extreme views, and in some cases, then participates in terrorist groups or acts. Anyone can be radicalised, but factors such as being easily influenced and impressionable make children and young people particularly vulnerable.
Sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is when someone persuades or forces a child to take part in sexual activities, or encourages a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. It doesn’t necessarily involve physical contact and can also take place online.