Child criminal exploitation ( CCE) occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity:
CCE is not defined in law but is a term that has come to be associated with ‘county lines’.
County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas [within the UK], using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’. This can also happen in borough. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they’re given things like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they’re in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they’re being abused.
Visit the NSPCC website for more information.
Sexually Coerced Extortion, sometimes referred to as ‘Sextortion’, is a form of online blackmail that involves the threat of sharing intimate or explicit images or videos to extort money or force someone to do something against their will.
Behind the Screen campaign
In 2024, 68% of Childline’s counselling sessions about blackmail/threats to share sexual images were with boys, compared to 31% for girls. In response to this, Childline have launched a new Reach campaign Behind the Screen, which aims to engage and reach boys and young males to raise awareness of Sexually Coerced Extortion and reinforce it’s okay for them to seek support.
Follow the guidance on the Birmingham Children’s Trust website to report a concern.
The combined CSE and CE procedures has brought together two separate procedures into one and looks to ensure that practitioners and wider agencies are aware of the referral process and underlying principles within the EMPOWER U hub. This document should be read in conjunction with the Hub service offer and the LPDG processes.
Partners will problem solve the issue and decide what action is needed, this could include:
– Relevant Orders / warning letter/ injunctions, or it could be a household and therefore we could look at action by the landlord, warning/eviction etc.
– Added engagement
Supporting documentation:
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You can play a vital role in helping to get help for children and young people who are being exploited.
The Children’s Society #LookCloser campaign, in partnership with the British Transport Police and National County Lines Coordination Centre, helps you to spot the signs of child exploitation and how to report it.
Watch the campaign video below.