A record number of kids are at risk of sexual and criminal exploitation this summer, as the cost of living crisis means they will spend less time with trusted adults and professionals.
The UK's largest children's charity, Barnardo's, has expressed concerns over young people being left increasingly vulnerable to criminal gangs during the six-week break.
Its new report revealed six in 10 parents will struggle to take time off work and afford clubs or activities, so a significant amount of kids will be at greater risk of danger.
Data from police forces across the country shows that during longer school holidays, there are dips in the number of child sexual exploitation cases reported, thus a rise in 'invisible' kids.
"Summer holidays should be about fun and relaxation, but we are deeply concerned that a growing number of children could be at risk of sexual and criminal exploitation both online and in the community," Barnardo's CEO, Lynn Perry MBE, said.
"With many children spending several hours a day without adult supervision, and without activities like youth clubs, there's a greater risk of harm and a higher likelihood they will go unidentified and unsupported."
Since 2010, 760 youth centres have closed and free or affordable activities are now increasingly rare, meaning there are less safe spaces for youngsters to spend their time.
Further records also show a concerning lack of nationwide specialist support services for victims, such as therapy and counselling, which is absolutely vital to help them recover.
"The Government must invest in nationwide specialist support services, such as therapy and counselling, for all children who are victims of exploitation to help them to recover," Lynn explained.
"We also need more investment in services, like youth clubs, that provide safe spaces and help ensure all children have a trusted adult they can turn to in the school holidays."
Jess Edwards, the charity's senior policy advisor for childhood harms, explained kids often do not recognise when they are being manipulated, and the "simple offer of gifts, food or drink at a time of need can quickly be leveraged by criminals".
She urged parents and carers to look out for the signs of exploitation, such as unexplained injuries, emotional and behavioural changes or new, inexplicable and wealthy gifts.
To stress how vital and life-changing specialist support can be, three young children have shared their experiences of overcoming exploitation with the help of Barnardo's.
'I was sexually abused at 14 - I'd be dead without Barnardo's'
Savannah* was sexually exploited when she was 14 and is currently being supported by Barnardo's. She said: "I had been let down my whole life - broken promise after broken promise from my dad.
"It makes you desperate for love and affection, particularly from someone older. Exploiters know that, and they make you feel like you're the only person who matters to them."
Before Savannah was referred to Barnardo's, she had no specialist support and felt like she was treated like a criminal, rather than the victim. She was helped by Barnardo's practitioner, Amy*.
"It was different with Amy, she wasn't patronising and she told me she would be there for me for as long as I needed," she said. "She spoke to me on my level and we had a good relationship from the start.
"During those dark moments, the only people I had in my corner were my mum, my nan and Barnardo's. I'm not joking when I say that, if it weren't for Barnardo's, I would still be in that deep, dark hole.
"I would probably be dead is the reality of it. It's just so sad to think of all the other children who are made to feel the same way and don't have anyone there fighting their corner."
'I grew up in a drug den, now I hope to be a youth worker'
Preston*, 19, has been able to turn his life around with help from Barnardo's, and is defying the odds which have sadly been stacked against him.
"When I was born, I grew up in a trap house which is basically a home where drug dealing takes place," he explained. "Trap is exactly the right word for it because that's the reality, you're trapped into a never-ending cycle.
"When people say this lifestyle can be horrific, it really is. You end up trusting no one and never feel truly safe.
"I realised growing up that I was never going to be in a position where I could rely on having parents to look after me, but that also extended to the professionals involved in my life too.
"When I ended up going into care, it certainly wasn't the positive experience that it can be for some children and young people. For me it made everything worse and reinforced the view that nobody really cared."
Everything started to improve for Preston when he was referred to a Barnardo's child exploitation service, where a project worker was assigned and resources were available to him.
"Children and young people in my situation are very used to being told 'one day you'll have a big house and a load of stuff' but that's not what Barnardo's is doing," Preston said.
"They give you the resources, the help and everything you need to go off and make something for yourself that is profitable and legal at the same time.
"I have been able to develop my own clothing brand and music. Ten years from now, I hope to have a successful business but also be a youth worker."
'I was groomed online by men overseas before help stepped in'
All before the age of 10, Lisa* was a victim of online grooming, and was coerced into sending indecent images and videos of herself, over a period of time, to adult men overseas.
The abuse was initiated through a free online webcam chat and moved to social media platforms for months before Lisa's mum, Angela*, discovered the abuse on her iPad and phone.
Lisa, from Scotland, said: "I was embarrassed and felt very guilty about the conversations I had been in. And I felt trapped and was scared I would get in trouble."
A Barnardo's support worker was able to meet with Lisa weekly to relieve her anxiety around being online and becoming a victim of abuse again, and help Angela accept what had happened to her daughter.
They also consulted Lisa's class teacher, who was able to begin lessons in sexual education and relationships, and ensure they were appropriate and not triggering for Lisa.
"Lisa belongs to a loving and supportive family, and we believed that we practiced good online safety measures for our children by setting parental controls, limiting time on devices as per their age and regularly checking devices," Angela said.
"With help from Barnardo's, I addressed feelings of both guilt and frustration, and I was eventually able to understand the experience of my daughter as the victim she had become.
"I am very grateful for the support provided by Barnardo’s to both Lisa and myself, and I feel that we have now been able to move forward."
*All names have been changed to protect identities.
You can sign Barnardo's petition which calls on the Government to ensure that no child is left without specialist support after being exploited.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch. Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
