Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is when a young person is pressured, manipulated, tricked or forced into committing crimes to benefit someone else (an exploiter or gang).  

Exploiters use their position of power to control others, they might use threats, intimidation, violence or false promises to make a young person feel trapped or like they have to do what they are being asked to do. Or an abuser might spend time building a relationship and trust with a young person before then manipulating and exploiting them (this is known as grooming).  

For more information about Child Criminal Exploitation, click here.

County lines is a form of drug dealing, where drugs are moved around the country, either in big cities, smaller towns or even rural areas. They term ‘county lines’ refers to the way drugs are transported and exchanged – usually using mobile phone lines. Criminals often use children to help them to do this, this could be by coercing them into carrying, hiding, holding or selling drugs or weapons or moving money around for them. 

For more information about county lines, click here.

Sexual Exploitation (CSE) involved being pressured or coerced into having sex or being involved in any type of sexual activity without consent. This can also happen online by being forced or tricked into sharing photos of yourself or by being send sexual photos, videos or porn by others. 

For more information about grooming, click here.

Financial exploitation includes being forced to allow use of a bank account (sometimes called money muling) or being pressured into stealing or committing fraud for someone else’s gain. 

Forced labour (sometimes called modern slavery) is being made to carry out work without consent and without the rights and benefits of being employed.

For more information about Debt Bondage, click here.