Exploitation
What is child exploitation?
Child exploitation is when someone uses a child or young person for their own gain. This could be for money, power or control. It is always harmful and never the child’s fault.
There are different types of exploitation. The most common are:
- Sexual exploitation – when a child is pressured, tricked or forced into sexual activity
- Criminal exploitation – when a child is pressured or forced to take part in crime
How exploitation usually happens
Exploitation often happens in stages:
- Grooming – someone builds trust by being friendly, offering help or giving gifts
- Control – they start to pressure, scare or threaten the child
- Exploitation – the child is made to do things they do not want to do
This can happen in person or online. The child may not realise what is happening at first.
Who is at risk
Any child or young person can be targeted, no matter their age, gender, background or where they live. Teenagers can be more at risk as they spend more time online or away from home.
It is never the fault of the child, or their parents or carers.
Sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation is when someone takes advantage of a child for sexual reasons. They may pretend to be a friend or a boyfriend or girlfriend.
They might:
- Ask for sexual pictures or videos
- Make a child do sexual things
- Share images without permission
- Use threats or blackmail
They may make the child feel special at first by giving attention, gifts, money or a place to stay. This is abuse, even if it feels like a relationship.
Criminal exploitation
Criminal exploitation is when someone pressures or forces a child to commit crimes for them. This can be done by individuals or organised crime groups.
A child may be asked to:
- Carry, store or sell drugs (sometimes called county lines)
- Move or hide money using their own bank account (sometimes called money mules)
- Steal, use violence or travel to other areas
Some crime groups may also take over someone’s home to use for criminal activity. This is known as cuckooing.
Children may be offered money, gifts, drugs or a sense of belonging. They may feel trapped or scared to say no. This is not their fault.
What is grooming?
Grooming is when someone builds a relationship with a child so they can exploit them later.
They may:
- Ask personal questions
- Offer gifts or favours
- Move conversations towards sexual or criminal topics
- Threaten the child if they try to stop
Grooming can happen face to face or online through social media, games, messaging apps or live video.
Signs to look out for
Signs are not always obvious. They can include:
- Being secretive about phones or the internet
- Spending a lot more time online
- New friends, especially older ones
- Having more than one phone or SIM card
- Unexplained money, gifts or new items
- Changes in mood or behaviour
- Staying out late or going missing from home or school
- Using language linked to drugs, crime or violence
Parents and carers are often the first to notice these changes.
What you can do to help
You can help by:
- Talking to your child about risks, both online and offline
- Encouraging them not to accept money or gifts if it feels wrong
- Making time to listen to what is happening in their life
- Knowing who they spend time with, in person and online
What to do in an emergency
Call 999 if:
- Someone is in immediate danger
- A crime is happening right now
How to get help and support
If you are worried about a child or young person:
- Call West Midlands Police on 101
- Contact us for advice and support
Children and young people can also get help from:
- Childline – free, confidential support on 0800 1111, 24 hours a day
- NSPCC
- Barnardo’s
- Action for Children
- Crimestoppers – to report concerns anonymously
Getting help early can keep children safe.
