Dangers Of Exploitation
Child criminal exploitation is where someone or a group uses a child for financial gain, sexual gratification, labour or personal advantage. This can happen to any young person under the age of 18, through technology or in person.
Any child can be exploited regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. As a child you can not consent to exploitation.
FACT:
There were 120 children in Norfolk identified as medium and high risk of criminal exploitation in March 2024.
Some of the dangers that come with exploitation:
Joe would get very frustrated and angry easily, it was almost like he had too much going on in his head.
He was once stopped in a car on the way back from London with older people (trafficking), and he was arrested several times. He did have several injuries, however he would make up an unbelievable story as to how it happened.
- Treats, blackmail and violence
- Being forced to commit crimes
- Gang affiliation
- Not being able to leave or cut off ties with the gang
- Having the safety of you or your friends/family threated
- Risk of physical harm, sexual abuse and rape
- Risk of emotional abuse
- Risk of severe injury or death
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Long term impact on education and employment options
- Risk of trafficking
- Being arrested including for crime committed by others that they have not directly committed, this is called ‘Joint enterprise’.
- Criminal record