What is Exploitation?
The word exploitation means to make use of something or someone in a way which is not fair. It can be used in lots of different scenarios, but when we use it, we are talking about somebody treating a child or young person in a way that is unfair and dishonest, for their own gain. It is about somebody taking advantage of somebody else to get something they want. Â
When we talk about exploitation in a safeguarding context, we are talking about a type of abuse that can include one or more of:Â Â
If somebody is under 18 when they are exploited it is a form of child abuse. The terms Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) are used when people under 18 are exploited in these ways. Â
When somebody is exploited, it is never their fault.
Perpetrators of sexual exploitation might be:Â
- An adult or another young personÂ
- Any gender or sexÂ
- Any ethnicity, religion, or nationalityÂ
- Any sexualityÂ
- In a position of trust or power (such as a youth worker, sports coach, religious leader, teacher, police officer, a celebrity)Â
- Involved in other criminal activities (such as drug dealing, violence, organised crime)Â
- Friendly, believable and attractiveÂ
- Somebody the victim has known a long time, or somebody they have just metÂ
- A friend of a friendÂ
- Somebody online or on social mediaÂ
Victims of sexual exploitation might be:Â
- Any gender or sex; male, female, nonbinary, agender or something elseÂ
- Any ethnicity, religion, or nationality Â
- Be attracted to males, females, both, or nobody Â
- Live with family, be in Care, live in supported accommodation or live aloneÂ
- Have physical health problems, disabilities, mental health problems, or learning difficultiesÂ
- Rich, poor, or something in betweenÂ
- Have had sex before, or have never had sex beforeÂ
- Top of their class, or excluded from schoolÂ
- Have a child of their ownÂ
- Unaware that what is happening to them is exploitationÂ