Criminal exploitation often comes with the promise of something desired as a reward meaning the victim often pursues without knowing they are being groomed and exploited. The current reality is that often these young people are seen as criminals and not victims.

County lines has become a prevalent form of CCE.  Which includes children forced to work in cannabis factories, being coerced to ‘plug’ and move drugs or money across the country. Children are also manipulated into committing fraud, shoplifting and gang violence which entraps the child, perpetuating the cycle of criminality.

Often children who are being exploited themselves will become the exploiter.  In cases of peer-on-peer exploitation, a power balance still drives the relationship which may not necessarily be the result of an age gap between abuser and abused.

Futher reading on county lines can be found here

As a parent, you may have heard about child sexual exploitation or the term CSE.  But what is it?  Or, are you worried about your child – something just doesn’t feel quite right to you and you are not sure what to do or would like to speak to someone about it?

In Warwickshire, we have our own ‘Something’s Not Right’ campaign which provides information for everyone about CSE; including parents and young people.  There is a specific section for parents, providing information about the different ways young people can be exploited, how to spot the signs and links to other organisations who can provide you with further advice, guidance and support.  To access information for parents, click here. 

PACE – Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation is the leading national charity which works with parents and carers of sexually exploited children.  To access their website, click here.

If Something’s Not Right, contact us immediately

These three elements all form part of trafficking:

• • The act: recruiting, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons
  • The means: threat, force, fraud, coercion, deception
  • The purpose: exploitation

Trafficking is not always an international transfer of people. Trafficking in the UK includes commercial, sexual and bonded labour. People often suffer violence, sexual abuse and threats towards their families.  They have little choice what happens to them becoming commodities owned by traffickers, used for profit.

Modern slavery occurs when people are coerced into situations where there is little to no pay, often with threats of punishment or held over debt bondage. Each case of modern slavery can look different as there is no typical victim.

Frequently hidden from sight or under the guise of a legitimate business, victims are modern slavery often faced by more than one form of exploitation.  This can include but is not limited to:

• • Sexual exploitation – forced prostitution
  • Forced labour
  • Domestic servitude – including sexual / physical abuse
  • Criminal exploitation
  • Illegal adoption – selling a child for domestic servitude 
  • Other exploitation such as forced begging, forced marriage, illegal adoption, organ removal

Previously referred to a ‘cuckooing’, home invasion is a term used when a gang takes over a vulnerable person’s home as a base for criminal activity.  Home invasion is often part of wider county lines activity and criminal exploitation.

Criminals use the internet to groom or bully people on social media, text apps and online games. They will abuse their power to make the victim do sexual or criminal things leading to risks of blackmail and coercion.  2020 saw a significant increase in online grooming for child criminal exploitation – including county lines.

Further information and guidance can be found on our Keeping Children Safe Online page

Radicalisation is not about a specific faith or demographic.  The profile or single indicator of when a person may adopt extremist and a violent ideology is not obvious.  The process is different for each individual.  A vunerable young person or adult will change their perception and beliefs due to being exposed to extremist influence which may result in extremist actions.  The exposure may be online, through publications and literature or direct one to one contact. Radicalisation can happen over an extended or short period of time. There often involves an element of exploitation and criminal activity.

Extremism is to actively oppose British values including democracy, individual liberty and mutual respect of different faiths and beliefs. Extremism can be domestic – such as those with a far-right ideology conducting criminal acts to futher their campaign.  Extremism can be violent.  Violent extremism refers to the activity an individual or group conducts by any means to glory or justify terrorist violence. This also include those whom foster hatred for the purpose and aim of inter-community tension and violence.

Information on Warwickshire’s Prevent Strategy can be found here

ACT is aimed at family and friends to encourage them to share concerns that a friend or loved one might be vulnerable to radicalisation. The site can be accessed here

Vulnerable children and adults are likely to be targets of opportunistic exploitation.  It happens quickly without any grooming. Children who have regular missing episodes, who are out late at night in adult environments or adults who abuse substances are high risk.  They may be offered accommodation, drugs or alcohol in exchange for sexual activity.

Although it is recognised that not every person who goes missing is vulnerable to exploitation, research has illustrated that due to their circumstances, there can be an association between those who go missing and harm.  This is especially prevalent with Children in Care who have missing episodes. Warwickshire Safeguarding Partnership and Partners have developed a informational pack which aims to provide useful information around responding to risks faced by children and young people (CYP) in care who may be vulnerable to going missing. Download a copy here