The number of crimes involving child sexual exploitation in Dorset has nearly doubled in the past year, figures show.

Since 2020 more than 500 offences have been identified with elements of child sexual exploitation: 314 in 2021/22 and 186 in 2020/21.

The NSPCC revealed the data as its Childline service launches ‘The Full Story’ campaign in a bid to encourage more children and teenagers at risk of, or suffering sexual exploitation to use Childline for immediate, confidential help.

The number of Childline counselling sessions on sexual exploitation and abuse has increased from 5,962 to 6,230 this year (April 2021 - March 2022).

The campaign has created a series of short films showing five different scenarios of sexual exploitation, taken from real Childline calls.

Darren Worth, Service Head of Childline said: “Sexual exploitation is a complex crime and often when children describe what is happening in their relationship, they don’t realise they are being groomed and abused.

“Our counsellors have heard from children who have said they didn’t realise what they experienced in a relationship or friendship was wrong until they were much older, and some said at the time they thought their abuser was someone they could trust.

“Others said they thought they were to blame for what had happened and were scared about what would happen if they did speak out.

“This is why this campaign is so important as it’s essential that all children and young people have an awareness of this issue and know that no matter what the circumstances are, that sexual exploitation is never a child’s fault and there are people like Childline who can help.”

One girl of secondary school age told Childline: “I was abused by my dad when I was younger. My boyfriend has started to sexually abuse me and has introduced his friends to do the same. I’ve been raped by my boyfriend. He has been giving me drink and drugs. I want to break up with him, but I’m scared about what he will do."

During 2021/22, a total of 3,866 crimes were recorded by Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset Police forces, compared to 1,383 offences in 2020/21.

In the same period in England and Wales, there were 17,486 crimes logged by police where children had been sexually exploited –an increase of 10% on the previous year.

Childline offers confidential, non-judgemental support to children and young people – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Young people can talk to the Childline counsellors online in 1-2-1 chat from an account they set up on the Childline website at www.childline.org.uk. This account can also be used to send the counsellors email and it’s always free to call 0800 1111 with no phone credit required.