Family and home environment

Insufficient guidance, emotional support, or inconsistent boundaries at home can leave children or young people more susceptible to negative influences and exploitation.

Witnessing or experiencing trauma within the home environment can lead to emotional vulnerabilities that may be exploited by others.

Familiarity with criminal lifestyles can normalise harmful behaviours, increasing the likelihood of young people being drawn into similar activities. (See case study 1)

Physical or mental health challenges may reduce a parent’s capacity to provide consistent care, supervision, and emotional support, making children and young people vulnerable to exploitation.

Disguised compliance by family or minimisation of risks. Poor parental engagement with professionals. Limited encouragement or support for education, often due to financial pressures or caring responsibilities, can reduce children or young people’s opportunities and increase risk.

Insecure housing, overcrowding, or poor living conditions can heighten children and young people’s vulnerability to manipulation and coercion, particularly when basic needs are unmet.

Disruption in caregiving arrangements can lead to emotional instability and increased exposure to risk.

For children and young people in care or informal arrangements, instability can reduce trust and increase susceptibility to exploitation.