“I don’t want to go down that road”: The harms inflicted on criminally exploited children
In March 2024 we published the findings of the Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children. This is our first piece of follow-up research, which examines the harms caused to exploited children and makes recommendations to ensure that these children can be safeguarded effectively.
On this page: The report | Our findings | The five key themes identified | Our recommendations |
Criminal exploitation is a form of child abuse that causes significant physical, emotional, and psychological harm to tens of thousands of children and their families across the UK. Action for Children sees first-hand the devastating consequences of this growing crisis, through our dedicated support and diversion service for young people at risk of exploitation.
In this report we have analysed serious safeguarding incident data from our services tackling the criminal exploitation of children over a four-year period. By highlighting the harms caused by exploitation we seek to shine a light on the challenges faced by services and partnerships in protecting children. We consider challenges faced at a local level, and consider what professionals can do across a range of sectors to safeguard children at risk of serious harm and ensure that no child is criminally exploited.
I didn’t know what was happening until it was too late. I thought I could handle it myself. I couldn’t tell anyone what was happening, or I’d get locked up. The fear, the power, the money, getting caught, getting my family caught or being seen as a snake.
Young Person supported by Action for Children’s Criminal Exploitation Intervention Service.
Action for Children analysed serious safeguarding incident data involving young people supported by the service between 2020-2024.
During this time, there were 179 reported serious incidents impacting 140 children and young people. The youngest child was just 12 years old.
Of the 179 serious incidents:
- 107 (60%) involved serious assaults on children.
- 59 (33%) involved a weapon including knives, baseball bats, acid, metal poles, and dog chains.
- 41 (23%) involved children causing harm to other children as a result of exploitation.
- 21 (12%) involved children being trafficked across the UK.
During this period, 50 children were stabbed, with some suffering life changing injuries. Two were murdered.
Of the 140 young people:
- 96 (69%) were not in education, training, or employment.
- 80% of 16- and 17-year-olds were living in homeless or temporary accommodation.
- 83 (60%) were known to use illegal drugs.
- 82 (59%) were diagnosed or suspected to be neurodiverse.
A staggering 100% of the children and young people were known to police before they were referred to Action for Children, suggesting those at risk are likely to be identified by justice agencies before safeguarding.
Over 90% of children refused to provide information about their exploiters for fear of repercussions.
Intended harms caused to children
Deliberate acts of violence and coercion by exploiters, or by children who themselves have been exploited.
Behaviours linked to exploitation
Behaviours that result in criminal consequences or threats to a child’s health and safety.
Vulnerability and unintended consequences
Consequences such as disrupted education, unsuitable accommodation, mental health issues, and family relationship breakdown.
Children who cause harm as a result of exploitation
Harms caused by children to others because of their exploitation.
The narrative around children who are exploited
Perception of exploitation from children and agencies and its impact.
Exploited children deserve to be kept safe
Action for Children recommends the following steps are taken to ensure criminally exploited young people are safeguarded effectively:
- More investment in targeted exploitation prevention and support services, including specialist exploitation services and a statutory safeguarding response.
- For exploitation to be recognised as a distinct form of child abuse, with a practice framework for all agencies that responds to exploitation as a child protection issue.
- A welfare-first approach in the management of offences committed by exploited children. We need a system that can hold space for children as victims in conflict with the law, including a specialist response within local youth justice teams that addresses the needs and vulnerabilities of children exploited into illegal activity.
It is our responsibility to hold onto young people to get them on their feet. We need to stay with them through the good times and the bad times to help them see there is a way out of this. It’s hard, but it’s possible. I received that support and now I can give that back. There is a life away from exploitation and when you help young people see that it’s a beautiful thing.
Lived experienced practitioner, Action for Children
