Guidance

How child criminal exploitation effects children and young people

The effects of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) often extends far beyond the period of active abuse, shaping a child or young person's life well into adulthood, or beyond. Perpetrators deliberately use coercion to create obstacles that prevent access to support services, for example, making threats towards family members, making the child or young person feel that the only place they are truly safe is with the person exploiting them. In these situations, abuse becomes a powerful tool of control, used strategically to isolate and manipulate the child or young person, reinforcing dependency and fear. Sometimes the child or young person, because they may have been coerced into committing crimes or are associated with a gang or group, are not considered victims by adults and practitioners, despite the harm they have experienced.

Types of Harm in Child Criminal Exploitation

Physical Harm
  • Exposure to serious violence, injuries, physical abuse or intimidation, including family members.
  • Risk of harm from carrying out dangerous tasks (e.g., transporting drugs or weapons).
  • Poor physical health due to neglect or unsafe living conditions.
Emotional and Psychological Harm
  • Emotional abuse, including manipulation, threats, and isolation.
  • Long-term trauma, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
  • Loss of trust in adults and services who do not recognise the child or young person as a victim, leading to withdrawal or aggression.
Sexual Harm
  • Coercion into sexual activity, often under threat or manipulation.
  • Use of sex as a form of control, payment, or initiation within exploitative networks.
Neglect
  • Lack of access to basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education.
  • Being left in unsafe environments without appropriate adult supervision or support.
Substance Abuse
  • Being forced or encouraged to use drugs or alcohol to increase vulnerability.
  • Development of dependency, which strengthens the perpetrator’s control.
Social Harm
  • Stigmatisation or criminalisation
  • Disconnection from family, school, and positive peer relationships.
  • Association with gangs or criminal groups that reinforce harmful behaviours.
Developmental Harm
  • Disruption to education, leading to poor academic outcomes.
  • Limited opportunities for healthy social and emotional development.
  • Impact on future employment, relationships, and independence