  Consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery);

  Upskirting, which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm; and

  Initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element).

Child criminal exploitation (CCE)

Child criminal exploitation is complex and takes a variety of forms. In general, child exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of a power imbalance to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into criminal or sexual activity or modern slavery. This can be in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, this is most likely to be the result of grooming, where a criminal has identified what a young person may want or need.

The power imbalance can be through a range of factors, including age, gender, cognitive ability, status, and access to economic or other resources. A young person may also experience poor mental health, have experienced bereavement or are being bullied which may make them more likely to be vulnerable to exploitation.
The victim may have been exploited even if the activity appears consensual, and exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through technology.

CCE activity can include children being coerced into moving drugs or money across the country, forced to shoplift or pickpocket, or to threaten other young people. One of the most common types of CCE activity is called county lines. This involves organised drug dealing networks that exploit children and vulnerable adults to move, hold and sell drugs across the UK using dedicated phone lines to take orders. Exploitation is a key component of the business model and gangs use children because they are cheaper, more easily controlled and less likely to get picked up by the police.

Children can be exploited as ‘runners’ (transporting drugs) but they may also undertake other roles such as cutting and bagging drugs, collecting debts or experience the ‘cuckooing’ of properties. Cuckooing involves taking over the home of a vulnerable person in a supply area to use it as a base for drug dealing.

Exploitation can affect any child but there are some children who may be at greater risk than others:

Children in care – these children may be particularly vulnerable because of the situations and experiences that led to them to being brought into care.

Children who have been excluded from school or are in alternative provision– young people may feel disenfranchised which can make them an easy target for perpetrators.

Children living in poverty – who may be groomed through offers of material possessions or for money for themselves or their family due to financial concerns.

Children with educational needs – this may be due to increased vulnerabilities but also due to not recognising exploitation, or not being able to access support.

Children who are not UK citizens or do not have immigration status – the precariousness of their immigration status is an additional vulnerability that enables gangs to target them.

Family connection – some children have family members who are involved in criminal activity and therefore fall into exploitation through running errands to support their family.

Young people not already known to authorities – who may be from affluent backgrounds and not deemed as ‘vulnerable’. These groups often fall under the radar and less likely to attract attention from authorities.