Child Exploitation is a type of abuse. When a child or young person is exploited, they’re groomed by being given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection. This is usually in exchange for carrying out a criminal activity, known as Child Criminal Exploitation or performing sexual activities, known as Child Sexual Exploitation. NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. The majority of child sexual abuse takes place within a family setting, with two thirds of all child sexual abuse reported to the police being perpetrated by a family member or somebody close to the child. Child sexual exploitation typically occurs outside of the family. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity. 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.
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is when a child under the age of 18 is encouraged, expected or required to take part in any activity that constitutes a criminal offence under British law. CCE can take many forms, including ‘county lines’ (where children and young people are coerced to carry drugs and weapons from one area to another to service complex drug supply chains), stealing or shoplifting to order, including perfumes, alcohol or cars, cannabis cultivation, and forced begging. Children can be exploited by individuals, who are most often external to the family, or by an organised criminal group. The internationally agreed definition of an organised criminal group is ‘a structured group of three or more persons existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing crimes for financial or material benefit.’
Child exploitation is complex and often cannot be categorised neatly into one definition as many children crossover the different types of harm.
Key characteristics of child exploitation will include:
- Power imbalance (age, characteristics, emotional/physical, financial, status/influence)
- Some sort of exchange (tangible/physical items or intangible such as affection or a sense of belonging)
- The child’s vulnerabilities impacting their choices
- The child being someone under the age of 18.