How we’re tackling Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Together we are working to prevent child exploitation. By raising awareness in communities and educating young people around healthy relationships, we can help people to spot the signs of abuse.

Together we will pursue perpetrators of child sexual exploitation, which leads to prosecutions of those responsible
We are providing dedicated support for both recent and historic victims and survivors of CSE and CCE.
Ensuring that victims and survivors, and their families participate in services, so their voices are heard

The Evolve Team

The Evolve Team was set up in Rotherham in June 2016 in response to Child Sexual Exploitation across the Borough with the aim of tackling and disrupting Child Sexual Exploitation, whilst supporting children and young people who were vulnerable or at risk of this.

The Evolve Team has continued to progress since this time and has expanded to include not only children and young people who are victims of Child Sexual Exploitation, but also Child Criminal Exploitation.

This is in line with national research and identification of Child Criminal Exploitation as a growing issue where young people are targeted by criminals and gangs to engage them in criminal activity.

Referrals to the Evolve Team are made through Rotherham Council social workers.

Operation Stovewood

Operation Stovewood is the single largest law enforcement investigation into non-familial child sexual exploitation and abuse in the UK.

This work has been led by the National Crime Agency. Officers have been investigating allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. So far, National Crime Agency officers have made more than 200 arrests and secured 26 convictions, with more than 50 active investigations ongoing under the Stovewood banner.

In November 2023, the National Crime Agency announced that they will no longer be opening any new investigations, and any new allegations will be investigated by South Yorkshire Police. The National Crime Agency will continue to investigate the cases they have already opened.

South Yorkshire Police (SYP) is Rotherham’s local police force and investigates criminal reports of child sexual exploitation in the town. From 1 January 2024, any new allegations of non-familial child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, which took place between 1997 to 2013, will also be investigated by South Yorkshire Police. Prior to this date, such investigations were led by the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood.

South Yorkshire Police has embedded the learning from the Jay Report to ensure the force offers a professional, compassionate and effective service to all victims and survivors. Officers have secured convictions against many perpetrators of child sexual exploitation and related offences in recent years and anyone who is considering coming forward is encouraged to do so.

Find out the different ways you can make a report on the South Yorkshire Police website

News updates - Operation Stovewood

In May 2019, the National Crime Agency announced that 40 people were being investigated on suspicion of child sex abuse offences: NCA investigate 40 people on suspicion of child sex abuse offences