Speaking on the day the Scottish Executive launched new guidelines aimed at protecting the most vulnerable children, Sergeant Iain Glass, of Tayside Police, said he believed a number of young people in the region were, or had been, the victims of sexual exploitation at the hands of others.

He said help was available to victims of abuse, but the single greatest problem was getting them to come forward and make themselves known to the appropriate authorities or voluntary groups.

Sgt Glass — a member of the multi-agency working group which explores the issue of child exploitation for Dundee City Council’s Area Child Protection Committee — said young people who suffer sexual abuse often blame themselves for the situations they find themselves in.

He said the victims often find it difficult to speak out and consequently there are an unknown number of young people in the area whose abuse is being hidden.

Sgt Glass said, “I’m sure there are young people who have been preyed on who have not come to our attention, but, with all the agencies working together, we will hopefully identify them and offer them every assistance and ensure the perpetrators, where there is evidence, are taken to court.

“Young persons are not prostitutes — they are children being sexually abused or exploited. Children cannot consent to their own abuse and exploitation.

“The problem is identifying them. I would tell them to speak to any adult they trust and advise them there is help and support out there if they contact any of the statutory or voluntary agencies.”

ChildLine Scotland Director Anne Houston said sexual abuse and child exploitation was a nationwide problem that crossed class and social boundaries.

She said, “We receive around 500 calls a year from children who have either run away or who are thinking of leaving. They choose us because they can remain anonymous and in control. We don’t take any action without the child’s permission, unless their life is in immediate danger.

“A very small number phone to talk about their experiences of child prostitution – but that doesn’t make their problems less significant. In fact, these children are at horrendous risk because they can end up in a cycle of abuse which is hard to escape.

“We hear from children from all backgrounds and from all areas whose problems are so overwhelming that they feel the need to run away.

“It is not just children in accommodated and looked-after situations who run. Many choose to leave the family home, and this group are particularly vulnerable because they often leave without plans. Frequently they are returned home and the problems they are running from are not addressed. Hopefully, the Executive report will go some way to addressing these problems, but it is important it is not left on a shelf. Recommendations must be implemented.”

ChildLine Scotland’s free helpline can be contacted on 0800 1111.