Types of exploitation

Criminal exploitation

This is when someone pressures or tricks a child into doing illegal things.

This could include:

  • Carrying drugs, money, or stolen items
  • Going to places to deliver things for someone else
  • Being told they will get into trouble if they don’t do it
  • Being made to help gangs or older young people

Sometimes the child thinks the person is their friend.

Sexual exploitation

This is when someone tricks, pressures, or forces a child into sexual activity.

This could include:

  • Being given gifts, money, or attention and then asked to do sexual favours
  • Being asked to send photos or videos
  • Someone saying they love them to get them to do things
  • Being told to keep secrets

Sexual exploitation can happen in person or online.

Online exploitation

This is when someone uses the internet, social media, or online games to trick or control a child.

This could include:

  • Pretending to be a friend or boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Asking for photos or personal information
  • Encouraging them to keep secrets
  • Telling them to meet in real life
  • Getting them to do things on camera

Children with SEND may be more at risk if they spend a lot of time online or find it hard to tell if someone is lying.

Financial exploitation

This is when someone takes or uses a child’s money or belongings.

This could include:

  • Taking their money or bank card
  • Using their benefits or disability money
  • Pressuring them to buy things for other people
  • Borrowing things and not giving them back

Children with SEND may be at more risk if they don't have the same capacity or understanding of money that their non-disabled peers may have. They may see this form of control as support or a route to fitting in and having friends.

Emotional exploitation

This is when someone controls a child by using fear, pressure, or friendship.

This could include:

  • Saying “If you don’t do this, I won’t be your friend”
  • Making them feel guilty
  • Threatening them
  • Making them feel special so they'll do what the person wants

Children with SEND can be more at risk because they may really want to fit in or have friends.

County lines (a type of criminal exploitation)

This is when gangs use children to move drugs or money to other towns.

This could include:

  • Travelling to places far from home
  • Staying in houses with people they don’t know
  • Being given a phone to use
  • Being scared to say no

Young people with SEND are sometimes targeted because gangs think they are easier to control.