Child exploitation
The exploitation of children can take a number of different forms and perpetrators may subject children and young people to multiple forms of abuse at the same time, such as criminal exploitation (including county lines) and sexual exploitation.
Forms of child exploitation include:
- sexual exploitation
- criminal exploitation
- labour exploitation, human trafficking and modern day slavery
Child Sexual Exploitation (also known as CSE)
Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of Child Sexual Abuse.
The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual.
Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact, it can also occur through the use of technology, e.g. grooming and online games.
Child sexual exploitation involves situations, contexts or relationships in which a person under 18 is given something, such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts or money in return for performing sexual activities or having sexual activities performed on them. It can also involve violence, coercion and intimidation, with threats of physical harm or humiliation.
In all cases of child sexual exploitation (CSE), the person exploiting the child or young person is able to create the impression of authority over them in some form. This could be because of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength or economic situation.
Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, with a particular vulnerability of the child or young person being used against them. This can make the young person feel as though they have no choice but to continue the relationship.
Practitioners should also hold in mind the boyfriend/girlfriend model of exploitation. This involves the befriending and grooming of a child or young person by an older adult. This grooming process often revolves around the child/young person’s vulnerabilities and building them to believe that they are in a loving relationship. The young person may then be passed to other known adults to the ‘boyfriend’/ ‘girlfriend’.
Victims may be unable to recognise that they are being exploited, which is why it is up to all of us to spot the signs, report any concerns and to keep our children safe.
Child Criminal Exploitation (also known as CCE)
Child Criminal Exploitation is not defined in law, although the government’s Serious Violence Strategy defines it as occurring where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator or through violence or the threat of violence.
Criminal exploitation can take many forms, including: the drug trade, e.g. cannabis cultivation and drug distribution, begging, pickpocketing, shoplifting, bag snatching, ATM theft, selling of counterfeit goods, benefit fraud and using personal accounts for money laundering.
A child or young person may have been exploited even if it looks as if they have been a willing participant. Many young people do not see themselves as victims.
Children and young people can be exploited by individuals or groups, men or women, and adults or other young people.
People who exploit children/young people use the fact that they have power over children, because of an age difference or some other factor like gender, intelligence, strength, status or wealth.
Labour exploitation, human trafficking and modern day slavery
Modern slavery is an umbrella term for all forms of slavery, human trafficking and exploitation. It is a hidden crime with victims often unable to come forward due to fear or shame, or because they are unable to leave their situation. Consequently, reporting is partial and quantifying the number of victims is challenging.
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) was introduced in 2009 as a framework for identifying, referring and supporting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK.
Victims may not be aware that they are being trafficked or exploited, and may have consented to elements of their exploitation, or accepted their situation. If you think that modern slavery has taken place, the case should be referred to the NRM so that the relevant competent authority can fully consider the case. You do not need to be certain that someone is a victim.
To get more information about NRMs and how to refer a child or young person, you can refer to the government’s guidance: National referral mechanism guidance: adult (England and Wales) - GOV.UK.
Serious Youth Violence (SYV)
Serious Youth Violence is defined as follows:
any offence of most serious violence or weapon enabled crime, where the victim is aged 1-19’ i.e. murder, manslaughter, rape, wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm.
Some cohorts of children and young people are disproportionately at risk of harm from SYV, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), especially those who are neurodivergent. Children experiencing neurodiversity are also at increased risk of vulnerability to child exploitation as a whole. Other factors that make some children more vulnerable to SYV include poverty, mental ill-health, abuse and harm, including being a victim of domestic abuse and other forms of trauma. Some groups of children are particularly vulnerable. These include some children in particular ethnic groups, some Looked After Children, children with SEND needs and children who are not in full-time education.
Serious Youth Violence can occur as part of other forms of child exploitation – but this is not necessarily the case.
What to do if you have concerns about child exploitation or serious youth violence
Bedfordshire Police advise that if you suspect a person of carrying out child exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit our how to report possible child abuse page or call our non-emergency number, 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
You should also contact us.
Contact us
Telephone: 0300 300 8585 (office hours)