What is criminal exploitation?
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is a form of abuse where an individual or group takes advantage of a young person, asking or forcing them to do criminal things by tricking or manipulating them.
At first they may feel part of a group, or even a family, but over time they’ll be told that there’s no other option, that they owe someone, or should do things out of loyalty. Even if the young person appears to be a willing participant or is receiving gifts or payment, they are still a victim because the choice isn’t truly theirs.
Criminal exploitation can involve moving drugs, sometimes hidden inside the body, around the local area or even travelling across the country (this is known as County Lines). You could also be made to sell drugs, transport weapons or carry out other criminal activities, like assaulting people and stealing.
Grooming
Victims of criminal exploitation are groomed, sometimes by being given money, attention, gifts and promises of a better life. Groomers take time to build trust and a connection with you so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse you. They make you believe that you are valued and special and eventually isolate you from friends and family.
Victims may feel part of a group or a family so more are willing to help to do dangerous things. They often don’t feel that they’re at risk and it’s not until it is too late that they realise just how bad things are for them.
Victims might find themselves doing things they know are wrong, dangerous or uncomfortable, like lots of travelling or hiding drugs inside their body.
What are the signs that someone is being criminally exploited?
- They have new things that you don’t understand how they got.
- They have lots of money all of a sudden.
- They are using drugs and/or alcohol and may often be hungover.
- There are signs of unexplained physical harm, such as bruising.
- They are carrying a weapon.
- They have new friends or partners (who might be a lot older) and are ignoring old friends.
- They are secretive around their phone and may even have a new or second phone.
- They are being shady about what they are up to, or alternatively boasting about a new gang, money or experience.
What is a gang?
The word ‘gang’ can have different meanings: it could mean a group of friends who hang out together, but it could also mean a group of people who take part in antisocial or criminal activity, and they might try to get you involved with them.
Being in a gang isn’t against the law. But being involved with illegal activities (that some gangs do) could be an offence, like carrying, using or selling drugs.
You might feel that you want to be part of a gang to:
- Fit in with friends and other gang members.
- Feel good, respected and important.
- Be protected from bullying or from other gangs.
- Make lots of money.
- Make new friends.
- Feel part of a family.
What does it mean for me?
- Even if you haven’t committed a crime yourself, you could be arrested for being associated with the gang that did. It’s called Joint Enterprise. Do you want to go to jail for something you didn’t directly do?
- Being forced to commit crimes through child criminal exploitation will get you in trouble with the law, and a criminal record will stick with you for the rest of your life.
- Being in a gang can mean being linked to serious crime like trafficking, drug dealing and violence.
- No parent or grandparent would ever want their child to go to prison, or be injured or killed. Your choices affect them too.
- Your family and friends’ safety could be at risk. Think how you would feel if something were to happen to them.
- You may be forced to do things that you don’t want to – as well as being a risk to your physical wellbeing, this could affect your mental health.
- Getting involved with a gang can have a long-term impact on your education and employment, which can seriously damage your future.
- As well as the threat of blackmail and emotional abuse, you’re at high risk of physical harm, rape and sexual abuse.
- Running in these types of circles can bring you closer to abusing drugs and alcohol, which can cause serious physical and mental harm.
How to stay safe from involvement in gangs and CCE
Spend time with friends who aren’t in gangs
It sounds pretty simple, because it is. Even if you’re not taking part in gang activity yourself, being around these types of people makes it more likely for you to be coerced into dangerous and illegal activity.
Talk to someone you trust
It doesn’t have to be your parents, but if you can, chat to them. Alternatively speak to a teacher, a youth worker, or another trusted adult you look up to in the community. It may make you feel nervous, but trust us; they’ll be happy you reached out.
Find something positive to focus on
Sport, music, art – doing something you love and that gives you a positive focus can lead to some pretty great things. Like building new skills, making new friends, and even paving the way for a career.
Support Links
It is important to think about your future and how being involved in criminal activity or being in a gang can affect your life.
If you’re worried about a friend or want to get help for yourself, check out these places:
ChildLine lets you speak to a counsellor in confidence. They can help you find a way to get out.
The Runaway Helpline will help you if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back.
Not In Our Community is full of resources to help you understand more about child criminal exploitation and child sexual exploitation.
