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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the signs of exploitation and explain where someone could access support.

      Key learning points

      1. Criminal exploitation involves manipulating and using individuals for criminal activities.
      2. Child Sexual Expoitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) are very serious.
      3. County lines is a method of drug trafficking that exploits vulnerable individuals.
      4. There are sometimes signs that someone is a victim of exploitation.
      5. There are sources of support for people who are victims of exploitation, including the police and social workers.

      Keywords

      • Exploitation - using or treating someone unfairly to benefit yourself, often by taking advantage of their situation or lack of power

      • Grooming - when an adult builds trust with a young person to manipulate them for harmful purposes, often leading to abuse or exploitation

      • Coerce - to force someone to do something against their will through threats, pressure or intimidation

      • Trafficking - the illegal moving of people by force or deception to exploit them, often through forced work or abuse

      Common misconception

      Only strangers exploit young people.

      Exploitation can be carried out by someone the victim knows and trusts, not just strangers.

      Teacher tip

      Please speak to your RSHE lead or DSL before teaching this lesson. Your local police service may also be able to support.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

      Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

      Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

      Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

      Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

      Depiction or discussion of sexual content

      Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

      Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

      Depiction or discussion of serious crime

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to their correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:manipulate,to influence someone’s emotions to make them do something

      to influence someone’s emotions to make them do something

      Correct Answer:power imbalance,a situation where one person has more power or influence over another

      a situation where one person has more power or influence over another

      Correct Answer:consent,everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure

      everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure

      Q2.
      Which of these is an example of giving genuine consent?

      agreeing because you feel pressured by someone older
      Correct answer: saying yes freely and being able to change your mind
      going along with something because everyone else is doing it
      agreeing because someone promised you a gift

      Q3.
      Match each situation to whether it shows a power imbalance or equal power.

      Correct Answer:a teacher and a pupil,power imbalance in education

      power imbalance in education

      Correct Answer:two friends of the same age,equal power

      equal power

      Correct Answer:a boss and an employee,power imbalance in workplace

      power imbalance in workplace

      Correct Answer:a parent and a child,power imbalance in family

      power imbalance in family

      Q4.
      Who can be a victim of sexual violence or grooming?

      only children
      only girls and young women
      Correct answer: any young person, regardless of gender or background

      Q5.
      If you or a friend felt unsafe or worried about someone's behaviour towards you, what would be the best thing to do?

      Correct answer: talk to a trusted adult like a teacher, parent or call a helpline
      keep it to yourself so you don't cause trouble
      wait and see if the situation gets worse before doing anything
      only tell someone if you have definite proof something is wrong

      Q6.
      Match each type of relationship or situation to the correct description.

      Correct Answer:healthy relationship,both people respect boundaries and can say no freely

      both people respect boundaries and can say no freely

      Correct Answer:manipulative relationship,someone influences your emotions to make you do what they want

      someone influences your emotions to make you do what they want

      Correct Answer:coercive situation,someone uses threats or pressure to control your actions

      someone uses threats or pressure to control your actions

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to the definition.

      Correct Answer:exploitation,using or treating someone unfairly to benefit yourself

      using or treating someone unfairly to benefit yourself

      Correct Answer:grooming,when an adult builds trust with a young person to manipulate for harm

      when an adult builds trust with a young person to manipulate for harm

      Correct Answer:coerce,to force someone to do something against their will

      to force someone to do something against their will

      Q2.
      Mia, 14, has new friends who give her gifts and make her feel special. They've asked her to hold packages for them and say she'll get into trouble if she tells. What type of exploitation is this?

      Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
      Correct answer: Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
      financial exploitation only
      this is not exploitation as she accepted the gifts willingly

      Q3.
      Which of the following statements about exploitation is true?

      It is always done by strangers.
      Correct answer: It can be done by someone the victim knows and trusts.
      It only happens in other countries.
      It is only done by people involved in gangs or organised crime.

      Q4.
      What is meant by ‘county lines’?

      a transport company that delivers goods
      a way of contacting local authorities
      Correct answer: a method of drug trafficking that exploits people
      a helpline for young people experiencing exploitation

      Q5.
      happens when people are tricked, forced or taken away to be exploited, often for work or other forms of abuse.

      Correct Answer: Trafficking

      Q6.
      Who could help if someone is being exploited or trafficked?

      Correct answer: a police officer
      Correct answer: a social worker
      the person exploiting them
      no one - the victim must handle it alone

      To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Exploitation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...