Child exploitation

Child Exploitation Strategy 2024 – 2027 (PDF, 759KB)

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

If you are concerned that a child is being exploited, or they may be at risk of harm, you must contact the Integrated Front Door – 01472 326292 or go to report a concern about a child.

If a child is in immediate danger call 999.

If you are concerned a child is vulnerable to exploitation, you can use the Exploitation Risk Assessment tool (Word, 91KB) toll to help you understand the situation and decide what to next. If you’re not sure, ask your manage for guidance or contact the Integrated Front Door for advice.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It happens when an individual or group uses their power to force, manipulate or persuade a child under 18 into sexual activities. This can be done in exchange for something the child needs or wants, or for the abusers benefit, like money or status. Even if it seems like the child agreed to it, it’s still exploitation because of the power imbalance. It doesn’t always involve physical contact, it can also happen through technology.

View the full Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and guidance for practitioners – GOV.UK

Related resources

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Child criminal exploitation is when another person or persons manipulate, deceive, coerce or control the person to undertake activity which constitutes a criminal offence where the person is under the age of 18.

Definition proposed by Barnardos

CCE can include exploitation via county lines

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation. It is when criminals befriend children, through online or offline means, and coerce them into drug dealing or other related activities between different geographic areas. This is often, but not always, between cities and smaller towns or rural areas.

Definition from Barnardos

Child Criminal Exploitation is often thought to be only related to drug supply, this is not the case and can include coercion into other forms of criminality such as theft of vehicles.

Signs/Indicators of Child Exploitation:

Children who often go missing – look for any patterns
Visiting different cities frequently without clear reason
Physical injuries – consider if the injuries match the explanation
Unexplained amounts of money, phones, credit, clothes, jewellery and able to have access to drugs without knowing how this is paid for.
Changes in behaviour, like being more secretive, withdrawn, or isolated from friends
Missing school, college, training, or work without good reason
Having hotel keys/cards or keys to unknown places
Getting in or out of vehicles/cars with unknown adults
Using trains or public transport in unusual ways
Making new friends who use nicknames or have different accents
In possession of drug-related items like scales, plastic bags, film, grinders, or weapons
Having multiple phones, SIM cards, frequently changing numbers, and using the internet secretly
Being found with large amounts of drugs and weapons

Community intelligence

Humberside Police has an online form for professionals to quickly and easily share meaningful intelligence.

Go to Humberside Police

Related resources

Cuckooing

Gangs expand their territory by taking over the home of local vulnerable people, like drug users, those with mental health issues, alcohol problems, or sex workers. The gangs force these people to let them stay in their homes and use them as bases for drug dealing and other crimes.

Community partnership intelligence form | Humberside Police