FOI Request - Child Protection Register
Request 101003848534
I am requesting information on children recorded on your Child Protection Register where the category of concern includes sexual abuse and/or sexual exploitation (including CSE).
Specifically:
1. Confirmation of monitoring – Please confirm that you actively monitor the number of children placed on the Child Protection Register for categories including sexual abuse and/or sexual exploitation, and that you hold records of these numbers for each of the last five years.
2. For each of the last five calendar years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) – the number of children newly placed on the Register where sexual abuse and/or sexual exploitation was recorded as a primary or additional category of concern.
If you do not record by calendar year, please provide the figures for whatever annual period you use (e.g. financial year, academic year), and specify which period is applied.
3. If held, the 31 December snapshot each year of children on the Register with these categories recorded (or equivalent annual snapshot if calendar-year figures are not available).
4. Any definitions or coding used for “sexual abuse” and “sexual exploitation/CSE” during this period, noting changes.
5. Where disclosure rules mean small numbers cannot be given, please still state if the figure is zero. If you apply suppression for small numbers (e.g. 1–4), please present these as banded data.
Response 01-10-2025
1. Yes - records held for the last 5 years.
2. & 3. The low numbers (between 1 and 5) associated with this response may result in the identification of individuals. Therefore this response is exempt under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - personal information.
4. Definitions of categories used as follows; Moray Council uses the following definition for CSE and Sexual abuse as per the The National Guidance for Child Protection 2021 (updated in 2023):
Child sexual exploitation (CSE): is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a person under 18 into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact. It can also occur through the use of technology. Children and young people who are trafficked across borders or within the UK may be at particular risk of sexual abuse.
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is an act that involves a child or young person under 16 years of age in any activity for the sexual gratification of another person, whether it is claimed that the child/young person either consented or assented. Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child/young person to take part in sexual activities, whether the child/young person is aware of what is happening. For those who may be victims of sexual offences aged 16-17, child protection procedures should be considered. These procedures must be applied when there is concern about the sexual exploitation or trafficking of a child or young person. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children or young people in looking at or in the production of indecent images, in watching sexual activities, using sexual language towards a child/young person, or encouraging children/young people to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
5. The information for 01/08/2019 to 31/07/2022 is between 1 and 5, therefore this response is exempt under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - personal information.
The information for 01/08/2023 to 31/07/2024 is Nil.