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Drawing the Line

Ending violence and exploitation of children and young people.

Too many children and young people are being pulled into cycles of violence and exploitation that threaten their safety and their futures. In our service delivery across the UK, we’ve seen some children as young as eight become a victim of exploitation.

That’s why we’re committed to support young people to:

Be safeguarded and not criminalised,
Have aligned prevention strategies in place, and
Have more specialist support for victims.

Because no child should become a victim of violence, county lines or exploitation.

Keep up to date with our campaign

Children and young people need:

Safeguarding

We’re asking for children impacted by criminal and county lines exploitation to be properly safeguarded and not criminalised, with better protection from prosecution of child victims.

Prevention strategies

We want to see more aligned central and local government prevention strategies in place and the funding for the services to ensure that it works.

Victim support

We want there to be better, and more specialist victim support, including specific support for girls and young women, and better mental health aftercare

Statistics

Across our broad range of Catch22 services, we support thousands of children and young people at risk of or impacted by violence and exploitation.

In the last year:

89% were under 18

Of the 1,664 people supported by our exploitation services last year, 89% were children, of which 59% were under 16.

1/4 were female

22% of the children seen by our exploitation services, and a quarter of those supported by our Redthread services in A&Es, were girls and young women.

55% suffered mental trauma

Over half of A&E re-attendance by young people supported by our Redthread services was for acute mental health difficulties, not another violent incident.

Services are listed alphabetically.
Please use these arrows to see more.

Beacon Victim Care

Helping victims and witnesses in Hertfordshire to cope and recover from the impact of crime.

Hertfordshire, UK

Birmingham Counselling Service

Providing young victims of violence and exploitation with tailored counselling support, reducing their risk of harm to themselves and improving their mental wellbeing.

Birmingham, UK

Catch On

Catch On is a free educational resource about Child Exploitation aimed at pupils in Years 7 and 8 (aged 11-13).

County Lines Support and Rescue

Providing specialist support and rescue service for young people who are criminally exploited through county lines.

London, UK

Gang Awareness Training

Training professionals to understand and be more aware of gang culture and associated behaviours.

Kent County Lines and Gangs

Reducing risk and preventing serious youth violence, exploitation, gang and county line activity.

Kent, UK

Merton Young Person’s Risk and Resilience

Supporting young people aged 11-24 who have been using substances, vaping/smoking, reported missing from home or care, or exploited.

Merton, UK

Music To My Ears

A creative arts project supporting children and young people affected by child criminal exploitation.

68 Church Street, Leatherhead, UK

Navigator and Tailored Support Service

Catch22's Navigator and Tailored Support engages children and young adults at risk of, involved in, or vulnerable to violence, at 'reachable moments' in police custody, hospitals and healthcare settings in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Pan Merseyside Child Exploitation and Missing from Home

Understanding causes of missing incidents, and preventing young people from running away again in the future.

Wirral, UK

Redthread

Redthread delivers transformative youth work in hospitals and other health settings. Our vision is a society where all children and young people live healthy, safe and happy lives.

Catch22, Pear Tree Street, London, UK

STEPS (Support Through Exploitation and Prevention Service)

Supporting children aged 8-18 and young people up to the age of 24 with additional needs who are impacted by Child Criminal Exploitation and/or Child Sexual Exploitation.

Herefordshire, UK

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation

Delivering bespoke interventions with children and young people who are at risk of Child Criminal Exploitation.

Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Understanding Violence in Young People Training

Training professionals to understand and be more aware of violence in young people and its impacts.

Victim First

Helping victims in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to cope and recover from the impact of crime.

Leicester, UK

Young Adult and Adolescent Liver Service

In partnership with the Children’s Liver Unit at King’s College Hospital, we use our youth work expertise to build holistic support networks for young liver patients while they are in hospital.

London, UK

Young Women’s Service

The Young Women’s Services meet girls and young women affected by violence and exploitation in four London hospitals. Our specialist young women’s workers provide support during their stay in the hospital and in the community for up to a year.

London, UK

Youth Violence Intervention Programme

The Redthread Youth Violence Intervention Programme (YVIP) work alongside NHS staff and other professionals in hospital emergency departments to support young victims of violence and exploitation. Operating from 10 hospitals in London and Birmingham, our experienced, specialist youth workers meet children and young people at a moment of crisis and work with them to find a positive way forward.

London, UK

What is county lines?

County lines is a type of criminal exploitation. County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in dealing drugs using dedicated mobile phone lines.

They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable young adults to move and store drugs, money, and weapons, and will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) to trap children and make them comply.

Children and vulnerable young adults will often be sent to towns outside of their home areas. By exploiting children this way, those higher up the chain aim to avoid law enforcement.

Learn more about what it is and what we can do to tackle it.

What is child criminal exploitation?

There is not a clear definition of what exploitation is but rather multiple definitions to define each of forms of exploitation. On a whole, exploitation is when an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive any persons.

According to the Home Office: Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or (c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

However, there is currently no statutory definition of child criminal exploitation in the law. This makes it much more difficult to safeguard child victims. Catch22, and other organisation, are therefore working hard to try to convince the government to change this.

Learn more about the definition and the need for a clear rights-based legal definition.

As an organisation this is a big area of focus for us. Far too many young people continue to be drawn into areas of violence, exploitation, and county lines. We want this to stop. That’s why we’re launching our campaign ‘Drawing the Line.’

We want to continue to work with other organisations, so lets draw the line, together.

Naomi Hulston - CEO

News and resources

Resources are listed chronologically.
Please use these arrows to see more.

20 Sep 2024

What do we mean by “child criminal exploitation”? The need for a clear rights-based legal definition

Publications,

17 Sep 2025

Merton Young Person’s Risk and Resilience: Referral forms

A person filled out a form on a clipboard. Overlaid is text that reads: "Referral Forms".

Policies,

1 May 2025

The new Catch22 Youth Brand

Announcements,

1 Apr 2025

New Navigator and Tailored Support Service launched

Announcements,

1 Apr 2025

New child exploitation service launched in West Mercia

Announcements,

24 Feb 2025

Legislation to criminalise child criminal exploitation welcome – but must go further

background image of hands writing on paper

Announcements,

17 Jan 2025

Catch22 response to Youth Select Committee Social Media and Youth Violence Inquiry

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, taken from across the River Thames. Overlaid is text that reads: "Consultation Response".

Consultations,

30 Sep 2024

Young People and Families: Annual report 2023-2024

Publications,

20 Sep 2024

Catch22 publishes a new paper calling for Child Criminal Exploitation to be defined in law.

Announcements,

12 Aug 2024

Redthread set to merge with Catch22

A group of young people gather around a table having a conversation, casually.

Announcements,

10 Jul 2024

Gamifying education: an ‘end game’ for child exploitation?

Blogs,

21 Jun 2024

What is sextortion?

A teenage boy wearing headphones completes online work in the school library. Overlaid is text that reads: "Staying Safe Online Poster Hub".

Posters and downloads,

13 Jun 2024

Missing services: product card

Young woman sitting on the floor in an empty room, looking thoughtful.

Posters and downloads,

12 Jun 2024

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation: Annual report 2023-2024

A teenage girl sits on her bed, looking at something on her laptop. She is surrounded by posters on the walls.

Publications,

28 May 2024

Pan Merseyside Child Exploitation and Missing from Home: Annual report 2023-2024

A young man sits on the ground outside of an old building. He has a backpack to his side with some belongings inside.

Publications,

25 May 2024

Merton Risk and Resilience: Annual report 2023-2024

Close up of a young woman who sits in an open green space, smiling at the camera.

Publications,

23 May 2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, London: Annual report 2023-2024

A teenage boy sits alone on a park bench. He is looking down towards his mobile phone in his hands, as though reading or responding to a message.

Publications,

21 May 2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, Merseyside: Annual report 2023-2024

Close up of a teenage girl sat at a table with a text book in front of her. She is texting on her phone on top of the book.

Publications,

21 May 2024

Kent County Lines and Gangs: Annual report 2023-2024

A teenage boy stands in front of a park / sports area fence looking directly at the camera.

Publications,

20 May 2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, West Midlands: Annual report 2023-2024

A teenage girl lays on her bed texting on her phone.

Publications,

17 May 2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, Greater Manchester: Annual report 2023-2024

A teenage boy sits on a wall, alone. He stares into the distance, lost in his thoughts.

Publications,

16 May 2024

Music to My Ears: Annual report 2023-2024

Image of a recording studio set up, with a microphone, computer, guitar, and speakers.

Publications,

8 May 2024

Catch22 responds to Ofcom draft Children’s Safety Codes of Practice

A young girl lies on her front on her bed, scrolling the internet using a laptop.

Responses,

15 Apr 2024

Child exploitation: key definitions

Two primary school aged children work quietly in a classroom.

Posters and downloads,

9 Apr 2024

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation: Referral forms

Policies,

18 Mar 2024

Catch On expands free educational resource

A male teacher stands at the front of his classroom, in front of the whiteboard, smiling at the camera.

Announcements,

18 Mar 2024

Catch On: Parents’ pack

A woman comforts a teenage girl who has her face covered with her hands.

Publications,

18 Mar 2024

Catch On: Teaching materials

Three teenagers gather around a laptop. They are all making notes on paper about what they are watching.

Publications,

13 Mar 2024

The urgent need for training to safeguard vulnerable youth from exploitation

Pupil raises hand to ask a question while the teacher is presenting.

Blogs,

23 Feb 2024

Child financial exploitation: a guide

Close up of a young teenage boy standing next to an older boy who is giving him money.

Posters and downloads,

6 Feb 2024

Is someone asking you for a nude picture?

Posters and downloads,

17 Nov 2023

Catch22 responds to call for evidence on reducing the harm from illegal drugs

Consultations,

25 Oct 2023

Why early action holds the key to breaking the prison/reoffending cycle

A young woman stands with her back to the camera, with a long winding road in front of her.

Blogs,

20 Sep 2023

Why frontline voices are critical to the policy making process

Four people in suits meet. Two of them shake hands in a greeting, while the others look at them. Overlaid is text that reads "22 ways to build resilience and aspiration".

Blogs,

18 Sep 2023

Catch22 Manifesto: Reimagining public services

Publications,

28 Aug 2023

Merton Risk and Resilience: Annual report 2022-2023

A teenage boy stands against a brick wall wearing over-the-head headphones. He looks at the camera from the side.

Publications,

7 Jun 2023

Illegal Migration Bill: more harm than good?

A young girl sits alone on a set of outdoor steps. She wraps her hands around her knees and looks into the distance.

Blogs,

20 Apr 2023

Music to My Ears: Annual report 2022-2023

Publications,

20 Apr 2023

Rethinking the approach to young people's mental health

Header image for the Catch22 Minutes podcast which reads "Season 3: Risk and Resilience"

Podcasts,

19 Apr 2023

How do you recognise a victim of child exploitation?

A young girl, sitting at a school desk, looks thoughtfully out of the window, holding a pencil in their hand as they rest their head on their hand. Other students can be seen in the background.

Blogs,

15 Mar 2023

Catch22 launches free exploitation awareness resource

Close-up of young people making notes by hand. Only the bottom half of their faces can be seen.

Announcements,

16 Feb 2023

Inequity in safeguarding

Podcasts,

2 Feb 2023

County lines

Podcasts,

1 Feb 2023

County Lines: what is it and what can we do to tackle it

Close-up of hands holding a mobile phone.

Blogs,

19 Jan 2023

Online harms and online helps

Podcasts,

15 Dec 2022

Criminalisation of children and young people in care

Podcasts,

6 Dec 2022

The impact of child sexual abuse on victims and survivors

Portrait of two young women, one looking directly at the camera and the other looking away from it. Overlaid is the text "16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence".

Blogs,

1 Dec 2022

Missing children and child exploitation

Podcasts,

24 Sep 2022

Catch22 to provide support for victims of County Lines exploitation

Close-up of a young woman with short hair looking at camera while standing outdoors on a sunny day.

Announcements,

12 Jul 2022

Online Safety Bill: Balancing safety with opportunity

A hand holds out a mobile phone. Illustrated above it are a mixture of "Like", email, and "Friend Request" symbols.

Blogs,

6 Jun 2022

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire: Volunteer mentor service report 2021-2022

A woman wearing glasses sits at a table, listening to an anonymous figure sat opposite her. She rests her head on both her hands which are clasped beneath her chin.

Publications,

27 May 2022

Catch22 gives oral evidence to the Online Safety Bill Committee hearing

A group of young people sitting on a bench browse their smartphones. None of their faces can be seen.

Consultations,

26 May 2022

Music To My Ears: Service leaflet

Close-up of microphone and earphones inside of sound studio working space for music recording.

Posters and downloads,

25 May 2022

New service to tackle County Lines launched in Kent

A young woman with a ponytail checks her phone whilst walking through a forest.

Announcements,

14 Apr 2022

Merton Risk and Resilience: Annual report 2020-2021

A teenage girl in a hoodie stands in front of a graffiti-ed wall with her hood up.

Publications,

17 Mar 2022

Catch22 responds to introduction of the Online Safety Bill

Close-up of hands using a touchscreen mobile phone.

Responses,

17 Mar 2022

Young carers and child exploitation in Staffordshire

Close-up of a report cover which reads "Young carers and child exploitation"

Publications,

17 Mar 2022

Young carers and child exploitation

Publications,

17 Mar 2022

What makes a child vulnerable to exploitation?

Close-up of a young woman, taken from waist-height, as she looks at her phone. Her face is not visible. Overlaid is text that says: "Spot the Signs Poster Hub".

Posters and downloads,

2 Mar 2022

Catch22 responds to Commission on Young Lives report

A hooded figure browses content on their phone.

Responses,

23 Feb 2022

Improving victims’ experience of the criminal justice system

Blogs,

2 Feb 2022

Catch22 responds to IICSA report

Consultations,

31 Jan 2022

Catch22 recommissioned to support victims of child exploitation across Merseyside

A young boy reads a message on his phone, while his father works on a laptop on the sofa in the background.

Announcements,

21 Dec 2021

Reflecting on a decade of Return Home Interviews

Close-up of hands unlocking and opening a door using a key.

Blogs,

16 Dec 2021

Unrealistic sexpectations: online porn and young people

A young man flexes his arm muscles in the mirror whilst taking a photograph on his smartphone.

Consultations,

13 Dec 2021

Catch22 releases Missing and Emotional Wellbeing report

A young person sits alone on a wall outside, listening to music on their headphones.

Publications,

2 Dec 2021

Surrey’s PCC teams up with Catch22 to prevent child exploitation

Announcements,

10 Nov 2021

More young people exposed to violent or explicit content online

A group of young people browse their phones whilst sitting on a wall. Overlaid is text that reads "Online Harms Research Hub".

Announcements,

10 Nov 2021

Online harms: acceptable use and regulation

Publications,

22 Oct 2021

County Lines slang

Posters and downloads,

16 Sep 2021

Catch22 responds to call for evidence on the Draft Online Safety Bill

Consultations,

15 Sep 2021

Child sexual exploitation: an ever-evolving crime

Blogs,

3 Aug 2021

‘Digital by Default’ in the COVID-19 Context

Blogs,

27 May 2021

Risk and Resilience Services: Supporting young people at risk of exploitation

A young person wearing a padded coat stands with their back to the camera and their hands in their pockets. Underneath the coat, they are wearing a hoodie, and they have their hood up.

Publications,

26 May 2021

SPACE talks Missing Incidents

Blogs,

25 May 2021

Exploitation risk to missing and runaway children too often ignored

A young person stands in front of a wall holding a piece of paper in front of their face. The piece of paper has a question mark drawn on it.

Blogs,

13 May 2021

Catch22 responds to the Draft Online Safety Bill

Responses,

22 Apr 2021

Perspectives on policing

Blogs,

1 Apr 2021

Transforming the lives of victims of crime and exploitation

Consultations,

23 Mar 2021

The four key principles of a “Good” Web

Overhead view of a woman browsing an online shop on her laptop. She is sat on the sofa cross-legged with a notebook and television remote next to her.

Blogs,

18 Mar 2021

“Are you listening?”

Case studies,

17 Mar 2021

Child exploitation and criminal behaviour

Blogs,

16 Mar 2021

What makes a good relationship?

Posters and downloads,

8 Mar 2021

Serious violence funding must prioritise a public health approach

A group of professionals sit around a table reviewing papers.

Responses,

4 Feb 2021

Support helplines, apps and websites for young people

A young woman sits on a step outside, looking at a tablet computer.

Posters and downloads,

22 Jan 2021

Catch22 responds to Home Office “Tackling Child Sexual Abuse” strategy

Responses,

13 Jan 2021

Young People and Families: Annual Review 2019-2020

Close-up portrait of a a mother, father, and young son smiling at the camera.

Publications,

15 Dec 2020

Online Safety Bill: Why a proactive duty of care is so important

Blogs,

29 Oct 2020

Catch22 receives generous donation from Tesco Mobile for victims of CSE

A teenage girl sits in a chair with crossed legs, browsing content on her mobile phone.

Announcements,

7 Aug 2020

Young people and frontline staff demand better protection online

Announcements,

6 Aug 2020

Online harms: supporting young people offline and online

A group of young people browse their phones whilst sitting on a wall.

Publications,

29 Jun 2020

Catch22 responds to call for evidence on "Public Services: Lessons from coronavirus"

Consultations,

2 Jun 2020

How volunteering can offer us a way to connect

A person wearing a "Volunteer" t-shirt holds out a clipboard to someone who is signing up to offer their time.

Blogs,

10 May 2020

Catch22’s child exploitation service adapts to remote support

Blogs,

25 Apr 2020

Online harms regulation: education or regulation?

Blogs,

26 Mar 2020

Good practice guidance for Return Home Interviews delivered remotely

A woman, working at a desktop computer, takes a phone call on her mobile.

Posters and downloads,

11 Feb 2020

App safety

Posters and downloads,

11 Feb 2020

Share with care

Posters and downloads,

11 Feb 2020

Staying safe online

Posters and downloads,

29 Nov 2019

Catch22 joins call to put young people at the heart of General Election

Close-up of a group of children laying on the floor thinking.

Responses,

17 Sep 2019

Catch22 responds to No Place at Home APPG Report

Close up of stacked adult and child hands, holding a wooden model of a home.

Responses,

30 Apr 2019

Myths about male sexual assault victims

Portrait of a young man wearing a gilet, looking down against the frames of a glass wall.

Posters and downloads,

18 Mar 2019

Youth participation – it’s win, win, win

A young woman smiles at the camera. In the background, a group of young people work together on a project.

Blogs,

28 Feb 2019

Why exploited children must be treated as victims

Teenage girl sits in the library at school looking at a project with bookshelves in the background.

Responses,

21 Nov 2018

Councils and Catch22: Protecting children and young people

A woman sits at a table across from an anonymous figure. She is listening to what they are saying whilst smiling and making notes.

Blogs,

11 Oct 2018

Spotting a runaway child

Posters and downloads,

15 Aug 2018

Keeping children safe during the holidays

Posters and downloads,

3 Jul 2018

Child criminal exploitation: how do gangs recruit and coerce young people?

Posters and downloads,

1 Jun 2018

Harnessing the commitment, energy and creativity of volunteers

Close-up portrait of a woman smiling directly at the camera.

Case studies,

24 May 2018

Push and pull factors: what causes a child to go missing?

Posters and downloads,

1 May 2018

Different dangers, same signs

Posters and downloads,

15 Mar 2018

Positive relationships break the CSE cycle

Posters and downloads,

5 Feb 2018

Prevent a young person going missing

Posters and downloads,

1 Feb 2018

Child sexual exploitation – think boys

Posters and downloads,

21 Nov 2017

New service in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

A young girl sits on the floor in a small space next to a cupboard. She rests her head on her knees and wraps her arms around her legs which are drawn up to her chest.

Announcements,

20 Nov 2017

Five ways that parents can protect their children

Posters and downloads,

15 Aug 2017

Music to My Ears: How music can improve young people’s wellbeing

Overhead view of a music studio set up including keyboard, headphones and computer screen.

Blogs,

27 Mar 2017

Catch22 responds to the MOPAC Police and Crime Plan

Responses,

18 Mar 2017

Catch22 supports National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day

An anonymous person holds a hand up to indicate a "Stop" symbol.

Blogs,

23 Jul 2015

Running the risks: the links between gang involvement and missing

A teenage boy and a teenage girl stand in a graffiti-covered underpass. He shows her something on his phone.

Publications,

Drawing the Line

Ending violence and exploitation of children and young people.

Children and young people need:

Safeguarding

Prevention strategies

Victim support

Statistics

89% were under 18

1/4 were female

55% suffered mental trauma

Beacon Victim Care

Birmingham Counselling Service

Catch On

County Lines Support and Rescue

Gang Awareness Training

Kent County Lines and Gangs

Merton Young Person’s Risk and Resilience

Music To My Ears

Navigator and Tailored Support Service

Pan Merseyside Child Exploitation and Missing from Home

Redthread

STEPS (Support Through Exploitation and Prevention Service)

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation

Understanding Violence in Young People Training

Victim First

Young Adult and Adolescent Liver Service

Young Women’s Service

Youth Violence Intervention Programme

Definitions

What is county lines?

What is child criminal exploitation?

News and resources

What do we mean by “child criminal exploitation”? The need for a clear rights-based legal definition

Merton Young Person’s Risk and Resilience: Referral forms

The new Catch22 Youth Brand

New Navigator and Tailored Support Service launched

New child exploitation service launched in West Mercia

Legislation to criminalise child criminal exploitation welcome – but must go further

Catch22 response to Youth Select Committee Social Media and Youth Violence Inquiry

Young People and Families: Annual report 2023-2024

Catch22 publishes a new paper calling for Child Criminal Exploitation to be defined in law.

Redthread set to merge with Catch22

Gamifying education: an ‘end game’ for child exploitation?

What is sextortion?

Missing services: product card

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation: Annual report 2023-2024

Pan Merseyside Child Exploitation and Missing from Home: Annual report 2023-2024

Merton Risk and Resilience: Annual report 2023-2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, London: Annual report 2023-2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, Merseyside: Annual report 2023-2024

Kent County Lines and Gangs: Annual report 2023-2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, West Midlands: Annual report 2023-2024

County Lines Support and Rescue, Greater Manchester: Annual report 2023-2024

Music to My Ears: Annual report 2023-2024

Catch22 responds to Ofcom draft Children’s Safety Codes of Practice

Child exploitation: key definitions

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation: Referral forms

Catch On expands free educational resource

Catch On: Parents’ pack

Catch On: Teaching materials

The urgent need for training to safeguard vulnerable youth from exploitation

Child financial exploitation: a guide

Is someone asking you for a nude picture?

Catch22 responds to call for evidence on reducing the harm from illegal drugs

Why early action holds the key to breaking the prison/reoffending cycle

Why frontline voices are critical to the policy making process

Catch22 Manifesto: Reimagining public services

Merton Risk and Resilience: Annual report 2022-2023

Illegal Migration Bill: more harm than good?

Music to My Ears: Annual report 2022-2023

Rethinking the approach to young people's mental health

How do you recognise a victim of child exploitation?

Catch22 launches free exploitation awareness resource

Inequity in safeguarding

County lines

County Lines: what is it and what can we do to tackle it

Online harms and online helps

Criminalisation of children and young people in care

The impact of child sexual abuse on victims and survivors

Missing children and child exploitation