YMCA WiSE - YMCA DownsLink Group
YMCA WiSE BRAND MARK WHITE-01
YMCA WiSE BRAND MARK WHITE-01

Find out more about support, advice and guidance

Find out more about advice and guidance

Find out more about WiSE Services and how we can help

Find out more about our in-person and online specialist training offer

YMCA What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) is our child sexual exploitation project which works with children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. Our primary focus of work is supporting young people affected by exploitation through raising awareness, education and empowerment.

shutterstock_1736626430

What is Sexual Exploitation?

"Someone taking advantage of you sexually, for their own benefit. Through threats, bribes, violence, humiliation or by telling you that they love you, they will have the power to get you to do sexual things for their own or other people’s enjoyment.”

The Nia Project

What services are available at YMCA WiSE?

WiSE Sussex

WiSE Surrey

Please note that engagement with the YMCA WiSE Project is voluntary; professionals cannot include YMCA WiSE as a compulsory part of a child or young person’s contract, order or conditional agreement. You must ensure that you have discussed a referral to YMCA WiSE with the child or young person and got their consent. If you require support with how to explain the WISE project to a young person or their family, please get in contact by emailing  [email protected] or [email protected] 

pace badge

Refer someone now

If you suspect anyone is in immediate danger, call the Police on 999. If a child or young person is currently at risk of significant harm from CSE, refer immediately to your local Children’s Services.

Stories of those supported by YMCA WiSE

george story

George’s story

When George* was 14, his life seemed normal until his mother struggled with mental health and his father left the family. Feeling abandoned, George […]

Tina's Story

Tina’s story

Tina found the support she received from our YMCA WiSE service invaluable following a difficult period in her life when she had been groomed by two older men.

Smiling young woman

Kasia’s Story

Kasia didn’t realise she was being subjected to sexual exploitation. Spending time with a YMCA WiSE project worker opened her eyes to the reality of her situation.

Sign up to our emails

Sign up to our emails to stay updated on our work, events, campaigns, opportunities and young people’s stories. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please visit our privacy policy to learn more about how we safely manage your data.

Subscribe

* indicates required
Would you like to hear about chaplaincy support?
YMCA-logo-2022-white

Copyright © 2025 YMCA DownsLink Group.

Scroll to Top