Child criminal exploitation An example of child trafficking which affects both non-UK and UK national children is child criminal exploitation. The sharp increase in figures of child trafficking in recent years has been attributed to criminal exploitation including county lines, now recorded as a separate category of exploitation within the NRM. The county lines model of criminal exploitation is now recognised more widely by professionals. Similarly to other types of trafficking, child criminal exploitation often occurs alongside other forms of exploitation 50 – including sexual exploitation, which will be explored in further depth in the next section of this briefing. The Children’s Commissioner estimates that at least 27,000 children are at high risk of criminal exploitation, 51 with the Home Office’s Serious Violence Strategy defining child criminal exploitation as: ...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 (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/ or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or (c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.52 However, there is no statutory definition for CCE despite calls for one from a number of organisations and stakeholders.53 Such stakeholders note that a statutory definition would allow for ‘a shared understanding and a better multi-agency response’, 54 which may result in professionals both spotting the early signs of grooming and safeguarding those vulnerable to CCE. Proponents believe this could allow for a more preventative and consistent approach taken by statutory agencies across the country.55
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