It is reported to have been used as a means of control, for the gratification of gang members, and even as a service to be sold. CSE affects girls more than boys. However, sexual exploitation within County Lines still exists for boys.

Male gang members frequently groom young girls, making them believe they are in a relationship before going on to pressure them into trafficking drugs and offering them to other gang members for sexual exploitation.

For all girls, once they are working for the gang, they too become increasingly vulnerable to sexual abuse by gang members and ‘pimping out’ to people outside of the gang.