YOUNG victims in South Gloucestershire have helped shape a new £1.5 million support service for children and young people who have been sexually exploited.

The new service will be delivered by children’s charity Barnardo’s and funded by Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner and local authorities.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child abuse in which victims are manipulated or forced into taking part in a sexual act often in return for attention, affection, money, drugs, alcohol or accommodation.

Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: "Sexually exploited children suffer adverse consequences that blight their lives.

"Preventing their exploitation and responding quickly and effectively to stop exploitation is vital.

"This long term and consistent support is what children need to survive and recover from their experiences and importantly to help the police identify and aggressively go after the perpetrators of this atrocious crime.

"There is complete determination across Avon and Somerset to help care and support young people who are being sexually exploited.

"I am thankful to all our local authorities for their support and to the young people who helped shaped the future service to ensure it is the very best it can be for our vulnerable young victims."

The area’s five local authorities – Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, Somerset County Council and South Gloucestershire Council will all provide funding for the service.

Young people were involved in the commissioning of the new service and as victims of CSE gave feedback on the ways support for young people could be improved.

These young people wanted to see increased awareness about the service and how to access it including greater publicity in schools.

As well as a mixture of both male and female support workers and mechanisms to feedback on the service.

Barnardo’s regional assistant director Duncan Stanway said: "Barnardo’s has a long and successful record of supporting the victims of child sexual exploitation.

"It is a horrid and often hidden crime and we all have a role to play in raising awareness of the warning signs and keeping our children and young people safe from harm.

"This latest funding will enable our staff to work with even more partners across a wider area, ensuring that victims receive the specialist support they so desperately need in order to move on with their lives and fulfil their potential."

The new service covering Avon and Somerset will go live on Sunday, October 1.

For information, guidance, help and support about CSE visit www.thisisnotanexcuse.org.