Every year thousands of children are criminally exploited. Some may have been forced to cross international borders, been groomed into county lines drug trafficking or faced abuse in their own communities. Child exploitation comes in many forms and although they have different names, the patterns remain the same. Twenty years ago we published our first ground-breaking report on child sexual exploitation in Britain. Back then, children who were sexually exploited were prosecuted as child prostitutes rather than safeguarded and protected.

It is common for many victims of trafficking to have suffered multiple forms of exploitation, often at the same time. The following details various types of exploitation victims of trafficking might suffer. Domestic servitude involves carrying out household chores and often caring for the children of that household. Since the work takes place behind closed doors and the domestic worker often lives in the home, the exploitation is usually hidden. Victims can work long hours with no rest days and have their finances controlled by the employer. Victims have been forced to sleep on the floor and are often denied contact with their family.

If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact our professional counsellors for help, advice and support. Call us or email help nspcc. Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help. If you're worried about sexual exploitation, we have information and advice to protect and help children and young people. Finding out your child has been sexually exploited can be distressing and you might not know what to do next.

Defining the most common types of exploitation and human trafficking. There are many forms of exploitation into which people can be trafficked and held in slavery. These crimes are happening in every corner of the world and can include any person, regardless of age, socio-economic background or location. As a result, each case can look very different. Below are some of the most commonly reported forms of human trafficking and modern slavery.