Every year, thousands of children are exploited, and perpetrators are developing new and advanced ways of coercing children and young people for their own benefit.
Whatever form child exploitation takes, it has a significant impact on a child’s well-being and development.
It is vital that those caring for children are aware of and able to recognise the signs of exploitation and that they know how to respond in order to keep children and young people safe.
Find out how Meadows Psychology Service can help with childhood trauma.
Jump Straight In
- What is Child Exploitation?
- Types of Child Exploitation
- Signs of Child Exploitation
- Barriers to Support
- Interventions and Support
- How Meadows Psychology Services Can Help
What is Child Exploitation?
When an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to manipulate, coerce or deceive a child or young person into criminal and/or sexual activity.
This may be in exchange for something the victim needs or wants and/or for financial gain or increased status of the offender.
A power imbalance can arise from a range of factors, such as:
- Age
- Cognitive ability
- Access to economic or other resources
- Physical strength
- Status
- Gender
- Sexual identity
Types of Child Exploitation
There are many different examples of child exploitation, such as child criminal exploitation (CCE), child sexual exploitation (CSE), and modern slavery.
Whilst signs may appear to indicate the occurrence of one form of exploitation over another, it can often be complex. Those caring for children should consider whether multiple/other forms of exploitation may be taking place.
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is the grooming and exploitation of children into criminal activity. Perpetrators may make children or young people hold, hide or deliver drugs, money or weapons, or they may force children to steal, harm others, or beg.
When a person or gang identifies, targets and befriends young people (either online or offline) and manipulates them into illegal activities such as dealing drugs across geographical areas, this is known as “county lines”.
Signs of CCE may include:
- Increase in substance misuse or consumption of alcohol
- New peer groups/relationships
- Frequently going missing and/or being found in different areas
- Being arrested, particularly in areas different to where they live
- Returning home with injuries or with changes in appearance
- Appearing withdrawn, secretive, and/or isolated from their usual friends
- Increased interest in making money
- Disengaging from education/nonattendance
- Unexplained gifts/new possessions
Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of sexual abuse. It is a term used to describe where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity.
The child may have been sexually exploited even where the sexual activity appears consensual. For instance, the child might have been led to believe they are in a consensual relationship with the person.
Child sexual exploitation can occur in person and/or through the use of technology, such as via social media and gaming apps.
Signs of CSE may include:
- Disclosure of a sexual assault which may later be withdrawn
- Being secretive about where they have been and who they have been with
- Regular trips to sexual health clinics (concerns around sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancy)
- Entering or leaving vehicles with unknown adults
- Changes in emotional wellbeing
- Self-harm
- Receiving messages via their mobile phone more frequently than usual
- Increase in absences from school
- Use of sexualised language or behaviour
- Unexplained gifts/new possessions
Trafficking and Modern Slavery: Modern slavery is a form of organised crime, in which individuals including children and young people are treated as commodities and exploited for criminal and financial gain. The term ‘modern slavery’ encompasses trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced labour.
All children are at risk of exploitation. However, some young people may be more at risk due to having unmet needs that exploiters will use to manipulate and control them. Examples of risk factors include:
- A history of abuse/trauma
- Recent loss or bereavement
- Low self-esteem/ believes they are unlovable or not good enough
- Edge of care, in care or leaving care
- Learning disability
- Isolation, lacking a sense of belonging, and/or lacking friends of a similar age
- Links to gangs / living in a hang-affected area
- A history of drug use and/or mental health issues
Barriers to Accessing Support
There are many barriers for children who are being exploited to access the help and support they deserve.
Children can commit criminal offences whilst being exploited, but they often do so because they are made to fear for their own safety or the safety of people they care about if they do not comply. As a result, children may be criminalised by those who need to protect them rather than being recognised as victims who are being exploited and manipulated.
Exploitation can be challenging to recognise for parents and professionals, and often young people do not recognise or understand that they are being or have been exploited.
Interventions and Support
We can support children and young people being exploited by learning how to recognise the signs and indicators of exploitation, working to understand the function the exploitation is serving for an individual young person, and investing in building safe and trusting relationships with them.
If someone is in danger, always call 999.
- Gain an in-depth understanding of child exploitation, including the impact it has on a child’s development, key legislation, and key prevention, disruption and safeguarding strategies by attending specialist training.
- Consider specialist psychological formulation and consultation support: including support with intervention and safety planning, safeguarding and risk management strategies.
- Build trusting and safe relationships: Safe and trusting relationships help to provide a child with a sense of belonging. It is through these relationships that a child’s individual needs can be met in healthy ways.
Promoting resilience and encouraging engagement in positive activities to build their self-esteem are all key to helping the child feel less drawn to their abuser(s).
- Ensure a safety and disruption plan is in place which is specific to the risks and needs of the young person.
- Gather and record evidence and share with appropriate professionals: keep detailed records including car details, places, names/nicknames, times/dates etc. These are all helpful pieces of information that can help the police and other relevant agencies to protect the child.
- Consider the need to protect forensics: e.g., laundry/ not showering. This should be handled gently and sensitively and done only if the young person wishes to.
- Be mindful of language. Statements such as “they are putting themselves at risk” imply that the child is free and able to make informed decisions and is responsible for risks instigated by the perpetrator. Remember, they are a child victim who is being groomed and manipulated.
Let us Help You Understand Childhood Exploitation
To find out more about how Meadows Psychology Service can support you and your service with recognising, understanding and responding to concerns surrounding childhood exploitation, please complete our online enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch.
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