Jody’s story

Jody’s early life was chaotic and her parents’ relationship violent. At the age of six she was sexually abused by a family friend who targeted Jody because she was a vulnerable, neglected child. By her teens, when she was placed in care, Jody had low self-esteem and felt worthless. She was an easy target for abusive older men.

Jody’s story is very familiar to our sexual exploitation projects. She was drawn into an exploitative relationship with an older man who beat her, forced her to have sex with other men, and even held her prisoner. A childhood like Jody’s, of neglect or abuse, often leaves a child or young person desperately craving love and affection. They believe that the man they consider their ‘boyfriend’ loves them, even when they are coerced into having sex with others. They can be unable to tell the difference between a good relationship and an abusive one.

We run 17 specialist sexual exploitation projects that offer a safe, confidential environment where young people can go for help, advice and support. Our project workers actively seek out young people, offering them the long-term support they need if they want to change their way of life. Our projects also work with schools, to educate vulnerable young people to protect themselves from exploitation, and with the police to bring about the prosecution of perpetrators of sexual exploitation.

We have been working with Jody and despite her vulnerability, she is receiving our support and trying to make a new life.