CYP Now - Special Report: Exploitation and Vulnerability: Policy context

Safeguarding agencies now recognise that vulnerable children and young people are at risk of exploitation in a number of ways including by criminal gangs, political and religious extremists and paedophiles. Although the nature of the exploitation will vary depending on the circumstances, the methods used by those who exploit young people are similar.

Types of exploitation and its scale

Victims of child sexual exploitation (CSE) are often given gifts, money and affection by the people who sexually exploit them. The NSPCC explains that children or young people may be tricked into believing they're in a loving, consensual relationship, invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol, or be groomed and exploited online.

Some children are trafficked into or within the UK by criminal gangs for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Female members of gangs can also be victims of CSE. Some young people may not recognise this, despite sexual exploitation sometimes resulting in injury (see practice example).

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