Yes. A child can be a victim of criminal exploitation even when their involvement appears voluntary. Grooming, manipulation, coercion, threats or an imbalance of power may influence their actions, and they may not recognise themselves as a victim. Safeguarding responses should therefore consider the circumstances behind the child’s involvement rather than assuming they freely chose to participate.

Children can be approached through social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms and other online spaces. Exploiters may use friendship, status, money, gifts, fake job opportunities or a sense of belonging to establish trust before introducing criminal activity. Online grooming can make exploitation difficult to identify because the relationship may initially appear genuine.

Yes. The absence of obvious warning signs does not mean a child is safe from exploitation. Some children may hide what is happening because they fear retaliation, feel loyal to the exploiter or do not understand that they are being exploited. Professionals should therefore consider changes in behaviour, relationships, travel, possessions, finances and online activity as part of the wider safeguarding picture.

A child may have been groomed, coerced or manipulated into committing criminal acts for another person’s benefit. Their apparent involvement in crime does not necessarily mean they freely chose it. Recognising the child as a potential victim helps professionals consider the power imbalance, exploitation and safeguarding risks behind the behaviour rather than focusing only on the offence.

Professionals should take concerns seriously, consider the child’s immediate safety and follow their organisation’s safeguarding procedures. A response should be child-centred and sensitive to the possibility that the child may be frightened, controlled or reluctant to disclose what is happening. Concerns should be recorded and shared with the appropriate safeguarding professionals in line with local procedures.