Exploitation
DRAFT Adult Exploitation Strategy
Over the last couple of years the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board, with the support of the South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership and Public Health, have been exploring the implications of adult exploitation in the County.
We have now produced a Draft Strategy which is attached to this document. It can also be found on our website by following this Link: WSAB DRAF Adult Exploitation Strategy
The consultation on this strategy has now closed and the final version is being developed.
Worcestershire and West Mercia Definition
The Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board have adopted West Midlands Police Definition of Exploitation which is:
Exploitation is a form of abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child, young person or adult (including those with care and support needs) into any activity that results in financial or other advantage for the perpetrator(s) or facilitator(s). Activity includes arranging or facilitating the involvement or travel (trafficking) of a child, young person or adult (including those with care and support needs)
Specific types of exploitation include:
- Modern Slavery – encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
- For more government information follow this link Modern Slavery (including human trafficking)
- For information from West Mercia Police follow this link Modern slavery
- Sexual Exploitation is a form of sexual abuse. A person can be a victim of sexual exploitation if sex takes place and:
- it is in exchange for basic necessities, such as food, shelter or protection
- it is in exchange for something they need or want
- they are made to feel frightened of the consequences if they do not (coercion)
- the person who is exploiting them stands to gain financially or socially
- Criminal Exploitation is common in county lines and occurs
where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power
to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a vulnerable adult - Financial Exploitation can take the form of fraud, theft or using of the vulnerable adults property without their permission. This could involve large sums of money or just small amounts from a pension or allowance each week. WSAB information on financial abuse and scams
- Radicalisation is the word commonly used to describe the mental process a person goes through as they get drawn down a dangerous path. If someone is becoming radicalised it means they are displaying extreme views in support of extreme ideologies or beliefs, terrorist groups and activities. Further information can be found by following this link Radicalisation
- Any other Exploitation that enables services or benefits of any kind, including:
- Removal of organs
- Forced marriage
- Illegal adoption
The victim may still be exploited even if the activities that they are engaging in appear consensual.
Multiple types of exploitation can occur alongside or as part of other forms of abuse.
Exploitation and the Complex Adults Risk Management (CARM) Framework
The WSAB are working to implement the exploitation pathway which is being taken forward by West Mercia Police details of which can be found by following this link West Mercia Police Adult Exploitation Pathway
Any cases which involve exploitation should be referred through the CARM process. Details of the CARM process can be found by following this link CARM Framework
Local Research
The WSAB commissioned the University of Worcester to undertake a piece of research on the extent of adult exploitation and current pathways available for addressing this problem in Worcestershire. A copy of the research can be found University of Worcester Exploitation Research.
An Exploitation Task and Finish Group and Coordinator are implementing the recommendations made in this report.
Additional Resources
West Midlands Region Exploitation Toolkit
Modern Slavery