Parents & Carers Support
The topic of child exploitation shouldn’t be a taboo subject, it needs to be talked about openly by both adults and children.
Support Available
Open your eyes, it could be your child
During their journey through Joe’s exploitation, Emma and Phil identified a lack of support for parents and carers.
The professionals involved could only provide limited support due to understaffing and underfunding. At times, they felt it would be more helpful to speak with other parents in similar situations to share experiences and feelings, rather than relying solely on professionals.
No one can truly understand what it feels like to have a child exploited unless they are experiencing it themselves.
Open your eyes. Speak up. It could be your child.
Child exploitation—particularly involving drug dealing and serious youth violence—is happening in both rural areas and cities across the country. Remember, it can happen to any child. Education and early identification are key to preventing more children from ending up in situations like Joe’s.
Q&A
It is important to remember that you are not the only person in this situation. This page is work in progress and will develop more with parents/carers input. Hopefully it provides answers to some commonly asked questions regarding CCE, knife crime and gangs.
If you can not find the answer to your question, feel free to contact the Foundation directly.
Parent Helpline
The Joe Dix Foundation offers telephone support for parents and carers who suspect or know their child is being criminally exploited, involved in a gang, or carrying a weapon.
This is a support line—not an advice service. We cannot provide solutions, but we can listen and offer understanding.
You do not have to disclose your details or your child’s details. This is not an emergency helpline, and the number is not staffed 24 hours a day. Please leave a message, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible
Facing Reality
No one wants to think that their child is being criminally or sexually exploited. However, we need to face the facts that child exploitation is increasing and happening in your community.
No one but Joe knows his full story. At the time, Emma and Phil tried not to share what was happening with many people. This was due to their worries that people had:
- Lack of understanding of exploitation, countylines and gang violence.
- They were embarrassed and ashamed
- They didn’t want to be judged.
- They wanted to protect the family.
- Didn’t want to trouble/worry other people.
The Statistics About Child Exploitation
Generally, child exploitation is hidden and unreported, therefore these figures are only the tip of the iceberg with thousands more children suffering.
* According to government data in June 2023