ABSTRACT
This chapter will focus on criminal groups and explore the processes involved in child criminal exploitation (CCE). Differentiating between street gangs and involvement with organized crime groups (OCGs), it will explore the involvement of young people with the selling and the trafficking of drugs out of area (known as County Lines) using data from Study B to understand the pathways to exploitation and the narratives of young people from Study C to highlight their experiences with firsthand accounts. The chapter will consider methods of coercion that are used, related offenses, risk factors that are associated with being criminally exploited, the longer-term impact of involvement, and examples of how young were able to exit the group.
