Child Criminal Exploitation

Definition

The Home Office defines child criminal exploitation as:

'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. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

Criminal exploitation of children... includes for instance children forced to work on cannabis farms or to commit theft.'

Criminal exploitation of children can involve children being encouraged or coerced to engage in serious youth violence (including gangs) or criminal activity. It is also worth noting that some perpetrators of child criminal exploitation may themselves be children who are being criminally exploited. Victims of child criminal exploitation may also be at risk of becoming perpetrators themselves.

CSE-June-poster-5.pdf

Signs and indicators

Signs or indicators that a child is being criminally exploited include:

  • Persistently going missing from school or home and/or being found out of area;

  • Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones;

  • Excessive receipt of text and/or phone calls;

  • Relationships with controlling and/or older individuals or groups;

  • Leaving home or care without explanation;

  • Suspicion of physical assault or unexplained injuries;

  • Parental concerns;

  • Carrying weapons;

  • Significant decline in school results and performance;

  • Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks;

  • Self-harm or significant changes in emotional wellbeing.

Links for further information