What is Child Exploitation?
Extra-familial harm is defined as risks to the welfare of children that arise within the community or peer group, including sexual and criminal exploitation. A key element of extra-familial harm is that in general, harm does not arise from the home environment; parents may not be aware that their child is at risk or may be struggling to protect their child and the family from harm against exploiters.
However, sometimes parental neglect and lack of supervision may contribute to the young person’s exposure to extra-familial harm. Children who experience difficulties or instability at home may be more likely to spend more time outside of home and hence be more vulnerable to extra-familial harm.
Extra-familial harm can take the form of:
- Child sexual exploitation.
- Child criminal exploitation including drug dealing both locally and through county lines.
- Modern slavery and trafficking.
- Gang activity and youth violence.
- Radicalisation.