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. Grooming is the process of building an emotional connection with someone in order to exploit or harm them.
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.
A groomer may start normal conversations, show interest in a young person’s hobbies, or offer attention, help, gifts, or money. Grooming often begins in a way that seems friendly and supportive, so it may not feel dangerous at first.
Victims may feel part of a group or a ‘family’ so are more 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.
MANIPULATION
Influencing someone’s feelings or decisions in an unfair or dishonest way.
COERCION
Pressuring or forcing someone to do something they may not want to do. This can include making the young person feel guilty, promising rewards, creating secrets, or using threats.
EXPLOITATION is the act of unfairly taking advantage of a person, group, or situation for personal gain, profit, or selfish reasons.
It involves the abuse of power, grooming, coercion, or deception, to force or manipulate someone into doing something they do not want to do, often causing them harm.
Anyone can be targeted for grooming.
It can happen to any young person, regardless of their background, gender, or where they live.
However, some young people may be more vulnerable if they are going through difficult situations or looking for support, friendship, or belonging.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of abuse where a young person under 18 is manipulated, pressured, or tricked into sexual activity in exchange for items, money, status, or emotional connection.
Key aspects of this abuse include:
- The use of grooming to convince the victim that they are in a real, caring, and consensual relationship.
- Because of grooming, the victim may trust the abuser and fail to realise they are being exploited.
- CSE does not require physical force or even physical contact, as it can occur entirely online and through digital technology.
- Even if a young person seems to agree, it is still abuse because they are being coerced, are unable to legally consent to sexual acts with an adult, and are being manipulated by someone in a position of power.
“You cannot be groomed by someone you are in a romantic relationship with.”
This is FALSE
One tactic that abusers use is to make you think that they are your boyfriend or girlfriend or that they care about you.
What are the signs that someone is being criminally or sexually 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.
How to be an active bystander
If you suspect your mate is being groomed or caught up in criminal exploitation or gangs, you can help them by being an active bystander. Here’s how to do this safely:
- Prioritise safety (yours and theirs)
- If you suspect a gang or groomer is involved, they can be dangerous. Do not confront them directly; you could put yourself at risk.
- If you call out your mate’s “criminal” behaviour or tell them they are being “groomed,” they will likely get defensive. Instead, focus on them: “I’ve noticed you’ve been acting differently lately and I’m worried about you.”
- Gather evidence safely
- If your mate shares messages, photos, or mentions locations they have been sent to, take screenshots and keep them safe. Don’t forward these screenshots to other friends or post them online, as this could put your friend in more danger. Only share this information with a trusted adult or authority.
- Seek further help
- CCE and grooming involve serious risk, so you must involve an adult who can help you to get the right support. This could be a parent, teacher, a school counsellor, or a youth worker.
- If you are afraid to tell someone in person, you can report concerns anonymously to the CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).
- Stay in touch
- Groomers and gang recruiters work by isolating their victims. By staying in touch – even just by sending a meme or a “hey, how are you?” text – you provide a lifeline that makes it easier for them to leave the situation later.
- Your mate might feel ashamed or frightened. Let them know that whatever they are going through, you are still their friend, and you want them to be safe.
If you believe your mate is in immediate danger, or is being physically threatened, do not wait. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
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.
