Last updated by Stephanie Rosser on Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Using terms like ‘recruited’ and ‘working’ can minimise children’s experiences of criminal exploitation. Terms like ‘recruited’ and ‘working’ mask the harm caused by child criminal exploitation. They imply that the child or young person is responsible for, and in control of, the situation they are in. These perceptions can then prevent children and young people from receiving the protection, help and support they need.
Learning from case reviews shows that professionals don’t always recognise safeguarding concerns when working with young people who are experiencing criminal exploitation. In some cases, this was exacerbated by the language professionals used to discuss and record information about young people’s lives.