Child Exploitation JSNA

Child exploitation refers to situations where individuals or groups take advantage of a power imbalance to coerce, manipulate or deceive children under 18 into sexual or criminal activities, or into forms of modern slavery. This can occur in exchange for something the child needs or wants, often through grooming and includes:

• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) – involving coercion into sexual acts, often through manipulation or threats.
• Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) – involving coercion into criminal activities such as drug trafficking (e.g. county lines), theft or money laundering.

Child Exploitation has devastating impacts on the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of children and can include:

• Mental Health issues: anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm, eating disorders and suicidal ideation.
• Physical Health risks: injuries, sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse and poor nutrition.
• Social consequences: isolation, disrupted education, difficulty forming relationships and increased risk of homelessness1.
• Long-term Trauma: victims may struggle with trust, self-esteem and future parenting relationships.

Children affected by exploitation often experience multiple forms of abuse simultaneously and the trauma can persist into adulthood2.

The societal costs of child exploitation are multifaceted:

• Economic cost: The estimated lifetime cost of contact child sexual abuse alone was £10.1 billion in England and Wales in 2018/19. Which includes healthcare, lost productivity, criminal justice costs and safeguarding services3.
• Criminal justice burden: Significant resources are spent on policing, courts and prisons due to exploitation-related crimes.
• Social services strain: Local authorities face increased demand for child protection, housing and mental health support.
• Community impact: Exploitation undermines public safety, increases gang activity and perpetuates cycles of poverty and crime4.

Local authorities play a critical role in identifying, preventing and responding to child exploitation. As a local authority it is the responsibility of Hartlepool Borough Council to raise awareness and train staff; coordinate with police, schools, health services and voluntary organisations; design services with input from affected children and families; and ensure safeguarding systems are robust and responsive5.

• Children who Offend
• Crime
• Domestic Abuse
• Education & NEET
• Housing
• Looked After Children
• Mental Health
• Poverty
• Young People's Mental Health