Operation Willow

Operation Willow is the name of the Kent and Medway awareness raising campaign around Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The campaign links with the nationwide Say Something if You See Something campaign. Operation Willow targets different sectors of the public such as hotels, pubs and taxi firms in an appeal for information on suspicious activities that may be linked to CSE. It also reaches out to the young victims themselves, their friends and family asking for help in bringing this kind of abuse to an end.

Say Something if You See Something - Reporting Your Concerns

Information gathered through Operation Willow is reviewed and then passed to the most appropriate police team (e.g. Missing and Child Exploitation Team - MCET, Vulnerabilities Investigation Team - VIT, Paedophile Online Investigation Team - POLIT) who follow up with further research and investigation. In this way young people will be protected; perpetrators prosecuted and their activities disrupted.

Calls can be made using the 101 number quoting Operation Willow or anonymously through the Say Something Helpline 116 000.

An electronic CSE partner information sharing form (eINTEL) has been created so that multi-agency staff can share any information regarding Child Sexual Exploitation through a secure website. The purpose of eINTEL is to record current or new information in regard to potential victims of CSE, suspected perpetrators of CSE, venues where CSE is suspected of taking place, vehicles believed connected to CSE and other relevant information. Guidance on using eINTEL can be found on the KSCB website

Access the eINTEL form here

Completing a form on eINTEL should not be used in place of submitting a Request for Support to Integrated Children’s Services through the Front Door. If you have concerns that meet the support levels, for Integrated Children’s Services, these must be discussed with your safeguarding lead prior to submitting the request.

How can you help?

Display posters in your school or setting

To order hard copies of the posters below and leaflets about CSE email the Kent Safeguarding Children Board.

Choose a poster above to download a PDF copy

Attend CSE Training

KSCB offer three different levels of CSE Awareness training that can be booked, free of charge, through CPD Online. Level one is an e-learning package that serves as an introduction to the subject, Level 2 is a 3 hour classroom based course that explores the subject in greater depth and Level 3 which is a full day course aimed at those making front line decisions.

Use the Looking out for Lottie Training and Simulation

The Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent have developed this package which can be used in two different ways, as a way of raising awareness in staff or as an interactive exercise with children where they uncover for themselves the way Lottie is groomed for sexual exploitation. The normal price of the package is £199. This trains a member of your staff to use the package and includes a year’s licence to use it in your school. Lottie can be booked through the University of Kent website

Run The KNOW Project in your school

Youth Empowerment Services CIC have developed a CSE Awareness package for schools. The KNOW Project is a six session CSE awareness programme for students identified as particularly vulnerable. They can also provide themed assemblies on different aspects of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE). Visit the Youth Empowerment Services CIC website for further information.

Book a performance of Chelsea’s Story

In Support of the NWG CSE National Awareness Day in March 2017, Operation Willow secured funding for the AlterEgo Creative Solutions to put on three performances of Chelsea’s Story at the police training college.

Chelsea’s Story is a hard hitting drama production about a teenage girl being drawn into sexual exploitation. Of the teachers who attended 97% said they would recommend it to a colleague. Following on from this event a number of schools decided to book further performances at their own site. Visit the AlterEgo website for more information.

Become a CSE Champion

KSCB organise regular CSE Champions forums for professionals from a wide range of agencies. CSE Champions are a point of contact within their agencies and play a key role in raising awareness and sharing information. At the moment schools are underrepresented. Could you be a CSE Champion? Please contact KSCB for more information by emailing kscb@kent.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can call the KSCB enquiries line on 03000 42 11 26.

Key Documents

Contact Operation Willow

Call 101 and ask for Operation Willow.

Call the Say Something Helpline 116 000.