Child Exploitation

Also known as CE. Find out the facts and where help is available.

Understanding Child Exploitation

Child exploitation often takes the form of child sexual exploitation (CSE) or child criminal exploitation (CCE). The exploitation of children and young people under 18 is where a young person will receive something in return for, or be pressured into performing, sexual or criminal activities. Are you being exploited or do you have concerns for someone. Help is available!

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?

The sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 is where a young person will receive something in return for, or be pressured into performing sexual activities.

What is CSE?

Firstly, it is child abuse and puts young people at risk of damage to their physical, emotional and psychological health.

It can take many forms:

A “seemingly” consensual relationship with an older boyfriend
A young person having sex in return for attention, alcohol, cigarettes, gifts or lifts
Online – a young person encouraged to share indecent images (sexting) or perform sexual acts on webcam. Including the other person then threatening to share images unless further acts performed
Organised/networked CSE – serious organised crime

Recommended Resources

States of Jersey - CSE video

NSPCC - Child Sexual Exploitation

CSE Brochure

ThinkUknow Website

Child Exploitation - A Guide For Parents and Carers

Child Exploitation - Your Guide

What is Child Criminal Exploitation?

Children and young people involved with gangs and criminal exploitation need help and support. They might be victims of violence or pressured into doing things like stealing or carrying drugs or weapons. They might be abused, exploited and put into dangerous situations.

What is CCE?

Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.

How are young people recruited?

Children and young people may become involved in gangs for many reasons, including:

Peer pressure and wanting to fit in with their friends
They feel respected and important
They want to feel protected from other gangs, or bullies
They want to make money, and are promised rewards
They want to gain status, and feel powerful
They’ve been excluded from school and don’t feel they have a future

Recommended Resources

NSPCC - Criminal Exploitation

Safeguarding CE Briefing

ThinkUknow Website

What are the signs of CE?

There are some people who may seek to draw you into sexual or criminal relationships. They might be nice to you initially by showing lots of affection, by inviting you to parties and buying you alcohol, drugs, clothes, mobile phones or other gifts.

This might start off casual and friendly, but it might slowly turn more and more towards pressuring you into performing sexual or criminal acts.

No-one should pressure you to have sex.

This includes getting you to touch yourself in front of others or in front of a webcam, or having someone touch themselves in front of you. It also includes making you look at pornographic photos or films.

The people who do this aim to draw young people like you into swapping or selling sex. They are not really your friends.

They might make you feel guilty or ashamed for what you have done, to make you keep quiet.

You need to know that there is help available.