Child Criminal Exploitation

Support for issues raised in Circle North, Episode Three: Exploited

In Exploited we see how Ethan is groomed by someone posing as a friend. The friend, Connor, finds out Ethan’s vulnerabilities, such as falling out with his friends and his dad leaving. Ethan wanted to be part of something new and exciting such as going out for a drive, have new older friends, and being given drugs to try.

Ethan becomes dependent on his new friends, and the drugs, so when they make him sell drugs to repay what he owes he does not feel like he has a choice however horrible the hours and conditions are.

As things worsen, the group further trap and exploit him by make threats against his life, and scary threats against his mum and younger sister. Even turning up at the family home, Ethan feels shame that he has brought this home after all the kindness and love his mum and sister have shown him.
It’s not easy and it takes a long time, but Ethan’s mum does everything she can to find a way out for him.

Grooming is a process of getting someone ready to do whatever is asked of them by their abuser. 

It means working to build an emotional connection, complete trust and reliance, often isolating the victim completely from their support network – friends, family etc.

Once a person has been groomed, they can then be led into several situations they may not otherwise enter – such as sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, extremism, or financial exploitation.

Groomer will select a victim based on ease of access to them and what they see as vulnerabilities, for example:

• Being young. 
  • Police estimate that most (though not all) grooming for criminal exploitation happens between the ages of 12 and 17.
• Not having many friends or falling out with friends.
• Spending a lot of time alone or not supervised by a parent or carer.
• Low confidence and self-esteem.
• Neurodiversity.
• Physical or learning disability.
• Have been a victim of abuse before.
• Don’t have much money or status.

In the episode Exploited, Ethan is initially groomed by Connor. We later find out that Connor was probably once a victim of grooming himself and has been persuaded to find someone new to recruit.

CCE is a type of child abuse whereby a person under the ages of 18 is manipulated, controlled, and coerced into criminal activity.

Examples of criminal activities include: dealing and moving drugs, carrying weapons, carrying out attacks and thefts.

Some of these criminal activities may seem like they are done by choice, and victims don’t always see themselves as being exploited. However, the control a groomer has over their victim(s) often distorts their view of the world, and can make them distrustful of people who genuinely want to help.

In Exploited, we see Ethan is from a background where money wasn’t really a problem to him, but the gang find some vulnerabilities. Victims can be from any background, any gender, and can be younger or older than the characters featured in the film.

• The best way to stop exploitation is to not let the grooming process start. (Although this is not always easy as groomers can be very clever.)
• Be wary of new friends both online and in person. Abusers can be male or female, they can be the same age or older, from any background.
• Don’t stop talking to friends and family – isolating a potential victim is key to a groomers success don’t let it happen.
• Make sure no matter what, your friends know you are there for them.
• If someone asks you to look after something, deliver a package or sell something, be suspicious, once you’ve done that first one, they will have something on you.
• If something seems too good to be true, it probably is – think twice.

If you or someone you know is at risk of grooming and exploitation there are ways of seeking help.

Speak with a trusted adult such as a parent, grandparent, carer, teacher, youth, health, or social worker.

Other ways of getting help include:

Childline – www.childline.org.uk

You can call 0800 1111, or sign up so you can online chat and send messages (9am – midnight) – service run by the NSPCC.

The Police

If it’s an emergency, call 999. 

If you can’t speak, listen to the questions, and tap or cough to answer. Press 55 to signal an emergency.

If it is not an emergency and you wish to report a crime call 101.

Fearless or Crimestoppers

You can report information anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous reporting tool on the website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org.