Understanding CCE and CSE

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) have become serious societal concerns in the United Kingdom. Regarding this, we'll provide detailed information about CCE and CSE, including everything that you need to know and do to protect our children. 

Each year, thousands of children are criminally or sexually exploited in the UK. It is quite unfortunate that a large number of these children are unaware that they are criminally or sexually abused. 

In equal measure, society as the primary carers of children remains unaware of these concerns. Perpetrators are relying on our ignorance to propagate criminal and sexual exploitation amongst children. Therefore, it is urgent for us to interrogate this issue further in detail. 

Defining CCE and CSE 

What is CCE?

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is a concern in the United Kingdom where children and young people are lured into criminal activities for the gain of other people. 

Often, these children and young people become targets of criminal gangs that induct them into illegal activities such as drug dealing, stealing, or carrying weapons. Any young person below the age of 18 might not understand the magnitude of what they are doing, thus, allowing these criminal gangs to exploit them.

What is CSE? 

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse where a child or a young person is enticed into sexual activities by adults with or without their consent. It is important to affirm that the legal age of sexual consent in the UK is 16 years. 

However, child sexual exploitation is when an adult takes advantage of a child’s vulnerability to lure them into sexual activities. Often, the perpetrators entice children with gifts or trick them into believing that they are in a ‘normal’ relationship. 

Broadly, sexual exploitation may occur in three different models i.e. inappropriate relationships, boyfriend/girlfriend exploitation, and organised sexual exploitation. 

  1. An inappropriate relationship is when the abuser has power over the abused child. The child might think that he/she is in a genuine relationship but the abuser controls his/her sexual exploits.

  2. The boyfriend/girlfriend is also called peer sexual exploitation. It is when a child or a young person is groomed by a person with whom they are in a relationship. The abused may be threatened with violence to attend parties and engage in sexual activities.

  3. Organised sexual exploitation involves a child being recruited or becoming a recruiter for passing other children to networks where they are coerced into sexual engagement with older people.

The difference between CCE and CSE

Firstly, it is important to recognise that both CCE and CSE are societal ills that hamper the proper development of the affected children. 

However, from their distinct definitions, it is clear that they are independent of each other. CCE involves criminal activities while CSE involves sexual exploitation. We’ll explore the differences by showing you how to identify them.

Indicators of CCE

A child or a young person who is exploited criminally will always leave signs. Here are some common indicators that you should look out for: 

  • Persistently missing school while at the same time not at home;

  • When a child has unexplained money, mobile devices, clothes, or any other valuables;

  • When a child is constantly receiving phone calls or messages;

  • When a child has a relationship with older people or groups;

  • When a child leaves care without permission;

  • When a child is physically assaulted;

  • When a child carries weapons.

When you notice that a child has any of these indicators, you need to react and treat it as a probable case of child criminal exploitation.

Indicators of CSE

 If you are a carer or hold a position of responsibility, you can use your regular contact with children to notice any signs of sexual exploitation. Even children aged 16 and 17 are still at risk of being sexually exploited. 

Here are some physical, behavioural, and emotional signs of a sexually-exploited child: 

Physical signs: 

  • Sexually transmitted infections;

  • Unexplained bleeding in the genital area, blood on sheets or clothing, or any other sign of genital trauma;

Behavioural signs:

  • Excess knowledge about sex topics;

  • Not talking as much as usual;

  • Refusing to be left alone with some people;

  • Regressive or resuming behaviours;

  • Exhibiting sexual behaviour that is beyond a child’s age;

  • Spending most of the time alone;

Emotional signs: 

  • Change in mood;

  • Changing their eating habits;

  • Exhibiting self-harming behaviours;

  • Loosing self-confidence.

You can use these signs to differentiate CCE and CSE.

Who are the targets of CCE and CSE?

Targets of CCE

Perpetrators usually target vulnerable children and young people. Often, children between 14 and 17 years are the common targets for criminal exploitation. Also, male children are targeted more than female children. 

The vulnerability of children targeted for CCE is heightened by the following factors: 

  • Prior experience in physical abuse or neglect;

  • Lacking a safe home environment;

  • Economic vulnerability;

  • Experiencing mental health problems;

  • Homelessness;

  • Being connected to people in criminal gangs;

  • Being out of school;

  • Disability.

Targets of CSE

Female victims continue to be the primary targets of perpetrators of child sexual exploitation. Disability is also another key factor that exposes a child to sexual exploitation. 

Largely, all the factors listed above also apply when perpetrators target children sexually.

CCE and CSE statistics from around the UK

Statistics reveal shocking information about the scale of CCE and CSE in the UK. Here are some bits of statistical information by the government about CCE and CSE:

  • Every month, law enforcers arrest around 450 perpetrators, and about 600 children are placed under safeguarding.

  • There are an estimated 80,000 people in the UK posing threat to children online

  • The National Crime Agency estimates that the UK accounts for 5% of accounts opened for sexual abuse on dark web sites.

  • Four out of five children who are sexually abused by someone they know are afraid of sharing this information.

  • According to the Children’s Commissioner, an estimated 46,000 children in England are engaged in criminal gang activity.

What are county lines? 

County lines is a term coined by the Police for urban gangs supplying drugs in specific suburban areas using dedicated mobile phone lines.

How is it related to CCE/CSE?

Criminal gangs use these “deal lines” to move their illegal products with the help of children and young people.

Taking action

What to do if you are a child experiencing exploitation 

If you are a child experiencing exploitation, you should first know that it is not your fault. Someone is taking advantage of your vulnerability to exploit you, either criminally or sexually. 

When exploited, you should share your experience with an adult in authority you can trust. It can be your teacher, counsellor, or your parents. This will allow further and appropriate action to be taken. 

What to do if there is a child you know who is experiencing exploitation

If you suspect that a child you know is facing exploitation, you do not confront the abuser directly. Doing this may endanger the child. 

We recommend that you contact the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) with your concerns. As professionals, they will take the right actions. 

You can also contact us if you are unsure of what to do. We will ensure that our social workers investigate the concern and that appropriate safeguarding actions are implemented immediately.