CHILD sexual exploitation “seems to be getting worse”, a charity which helps victims has warned.

Gemma Aitchison, from Westhoughton, has worked with victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation for the last few years and provides rehabilitation to youngsters who have suffered horrific treatment through YES Matters.

She says such disgusting crimes are not going away anytime soon and believes tougher action needs to be taken politically to crack down on perpetrators.

Ms Aitchison said: “Child sexual exploitation is something that does seem to be getting worse. The reason I work with victims of child sexual exploitation is because I do not want them to be failed twice and to have complex PTSD where they feel like they are worthless.

“Their employment and education opportunities may be affected too.

“There is also a very high percentage of people who become sex workers after being abused when they were younger.

“There are a lot of things we can help them with if we can get them the rehabilitation they deserve.”

The increase in pornography and the sexualisation of young girls are issues that need to be tackled to help stop victims being exploited, the campaigner added.

She also believes children in working class towns are likely to experience more abuse than youngsters in more affluent areas because it is easier for perpetrators to find opportunities to exploit poorer households.

YES Matters receives referrals from different agencies including the police but concerned parents can approach the charity for help as well as victims directly. Adult referrals are sent to The Maggie Oliver Foundation, while that organisation sends across cases for young people to YES Matters.

Ms Aitchison added “We have groups of young people together with boys and girls which lets them know they are not alone or weird and there is nothing wrong with them. We also have one-on-one sessions and a psychotherapist if needed.

“Sexual abuse has still been going on during the pandemic and we speak to victims and arm them with information and tactics they can use to deal with perpetrators.”