What is child exploitation?

Child exploitation is when someone uses a child for financial gain, sexual gratification, labour or personal advantage.

Using cruel and violent treatment to force a child to take part in criminal or sexual activities leads to physical and emotional harm to the child.

Children can be exploited in different ways, and sometimes in more than one way at the same time.

Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (HIPS) Safeguarding Children Partnerships have developed Child Exploitation Support for Parents and Carers.