Child Exploitation - Information for Professionals

Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation

Child criminal exploitation and sexual exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of a person under the age of 18 years, and it does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. If you need more information on West Yorkshire's child protection procedures, the following document can support you.

West Yorkshire Consortium Inter Agency Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures

Criminal Exploitation

This occurs when an individual or group criminally exploit a child or young person through coercion, manipulation and/or deception for one or multiple reasons such as:

• in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
• for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or
• through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may be exploited even if the activity appears consensual (for example moving drugs or the proceeds of drugs from one place to another)

Sexual Exploitation

Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse, and the victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. This occurs when an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to sexually exploit a child or young person through coercion, manipulation and/or deception for one or multiple reasons such as:

• in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
• for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.

For further information on child sexual exploitation:

Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners - GOV.UK website

Child exploitation disruption toolkit - GOV.UK website

Tackling child sexual exploitation: progress report - GOV.UK website

Who Is At Risk?

Any child or young person may be at risk of exploitation, regardless of their family background or other circumstances. This includes boys and young men as well as girls and young women. However, some groups of young people are particularly vulnerable. These include:

• children and young people who have a history of running away or of going missing from home and care;
• those with special needs;
• those in and leaving residential and foster care;
• migrant children, including those who do not have a legal immigration status;
• unaccompanied asylum seeking children;
• children who have disengaged from education;
• children who are abusing drugs and alcohol;
• those involved in gangs;
• those engaged in risky internet use.

Factors and Involved Considerations

• Pull factors: children performing tasks for others resulting in them gaining affection, accommodation, food, gifts, status or a sense of safety, money or drugs; often the hook is through the perpetrator supplying Class B drugs such as cannabis to the child or young person.
• Push factors: children escaping from situations where their needs are neglected and there is exposure to unsafe individuals, where there is high family conflict or the absence of a primary attachment figure.
• Control: Manipulation, violence and threats of violence by those exploiting the child particularly when the child or young person is identified by the police, they are expected to take full responsibility for the offences for which they are charged – for example possession and supply of illegal substances.
• Many young people do not recognise that they are being exploited or that they are at risk. The majority of children who are vulnerable to criminal exploitation are male, however the possibilities of female involvement should not be dismissed.
• It is imperative that in recognising child exploitation as a priority, it is co-considered alongside children who go missing, Child Criminal Exploitation, Child Sexual Exploitation and modern day slavery, as all are intrinsically linked.

It is important to note that perpetrators of child exploitation may themselves be children who are criminally exploited and that the victims of child exploitation may also be at risk of becoming perpetrators.

If You Are Concerned About A Child

In the Bradford district, these are the numbers that you can ring for advice and to make a referral. Please ensure that you speak to the appropriate organisations who can listen to and record your concern, and then take appropriate action.

• If you have reason to believe that a child is in immediate risk of harm, contact The Police - 999
• Child Social Services - 01274 435600 (8.30am - 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 4.30pm Friday)
• Child Social Services Emergency Duty Team - 01274 431010
• Children’s Specialist Services (general enquiries) - 01274 435600

“Using the trauma model to understand the impact of sexual exploitation on children.” – by Norma Howes

Norma Howes has worked as a social worker, child forensic psychologist and sensorimotor psychotherapist. She is involved in training police, social workers, health and education staff in all aspects of childhood trauma and abuse, specialising in assessing and treating all victims of sexual trauma and the assessment of male and female perpetrators.

This guide offers practitioners a detailed explanation of both the psychological impact sexual exploitation can have on children and young people and some of the factors that can make victims vulnerable. It uses the trauma model to discuss what to consider when working with these children, ways to talk to them about their experience, start to build trust and offer support.

All Age Exploitation

The All Age Exploitation sub group aims to bring key partners together to ensure that across the Bradford District an effective, consistent, collaborative and coordinated response is provided to all children, young people and adults who are/or at risk at being exploited.

You can find out more in the All Age Exploitation terms of reference document.

#LookCloser Campaign

#LookCloser is The Children’s Society’s award-winning campaign supported by the British Transport Police and the National County Lines Coordination Centre, aiming to raise awareness about the exploitation of children and young people and the vital role that everyone can play in helping stop it. For further information visit The Children's Society website.

If you have further questions about #LookCloser you can email The Children's Society directly - prevention@childrenssociety.org.uk