A CHARITY has revealed that girls as young as 11 in Rushmoor and Hart are at “a very real risk of sexual exploitation”.

Creating Futures supports young people in helping them make a better future for themselves. It has now revealed statistics gathered in a recent project aiming to protet young women from sexual exploitation.

It showed that 12 girls, aged 13 to 15, had been asked to send topless photos online a total of more than 470 times. The girls admitted to sending more than 240.

Claire Dixon, the project manager at Creating Futures, said: “They had received more than 220 requests for fully naked pictures, and in just over 40 per cent of these cases they did not personally known the person asking.

“They had been asked to meet people in person through online contact over 30 times, with 29 per cent of requests coming from males they did not know.”

The group of teenagers questioned were deemed to be at risk or vulnerable by the charity.

“There are girls as young as 11 in Rushmoor and Hart that we know of who are at very real risk of sexual exploitation through both on and offline grooming,” added Claire Dixon. “And we want to support as many young people as possible to reduce the risks and equip them with strategies to keep them safe.”

The latest official figures show 313 complaints about child sexual exploitation in Hampshire. Only 39 cases resulted in charges being brought.

Tracey Clement, chief executive of Creating Features, highlighted that the charity works closely with the police in Rushmoor and Hart, and hopes to raise money to be able to offer the project in schools and to young people with learning difficulties, as they can be particularly vulnerable:

“I found it really quite surprising. You see these sorts of things on the national news but by talking to women we are finding they are at risk of sexual exploitation,” said Ms Clement. “People aren’t aware this is happening on their doorstep.

“A lot of young people are spending more time online and have their phones with them – who knows what your children are getting up to?”

Mrs Clement wants to raise people’s awareness of child sexual exploitation and that parents need to be aware of what their children are doing online.

“I have three children and I make sure I am friends with them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram to keep an eye on them. All parents, and teachers at schools, need to be aware of it.”

To find out more about how to protect your child against the dangers, visit creatingfutures.org.uk or call 01252 545265.