New research by Action for Children shines a light on the harrowing experiences of criminally exploited children and young people at the hands of their exploiters. These range from kidnappings and threats to life, to serious assaults with weapons including knives, baseball bats, dog chains, and acid.
Action for Children’s Criminal Exploitation Intervention Service works to protect and divert exploited young people and those at risk of exploitation aged 11-18, and their families. Launched in Glasgow in 2012, it now operates in eight areas in Scotland, Wales, and England and has helped more than 500 children and families since 2020.[2]
Tens of thousands of children are at risk of criminal exploitation across the UK every year, and this unique insight from the frontline provides a snapshot of the devastating consequences of exploitation for vulnerable children and young people, their families, and communities.
Action for Children analysed serious safeguarding incident data[4] 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 was just 12 years old.