1. One theme that should run through the institutional response to child sexual exploitation is the recognition of the child as a victim. Too many victims of child exploitation are treated as offenders or somehow responsible for the harms done to them. It is critical that adults – particularly professionals – show empathy and concern to children who are at risk of, or who are already victims of, sexual exploitation. Aside from the inherent necessity of treating children well, an empathetic approach to children is likely to encourage them to feel able to make disclosures and to feel supported when they do.