A new film co-produced with young people with lived experience and professionals has been launched by Action for Children and researchers at CASCADE, Cardiff University, to encourage discussion about how children affected by criminal exploitation are identified, supported and safeguarded across Wales.
Our Paths, Our Voices accompanies a major study commissioned by Action for Children and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Led by Dr Nina Maxwell at CASCADE, the research explored how children who are criminally exploited are identified and supported across Wales, drawing on the views of almost 200 professionals working across education, children’s services, policing, youth justice, health, housing, youth work and the voluntary sector.
The research found that while many professionals feel confident in recognising the signs of criminal exploitation, fragmented guidance, unclear practice pathways and barriers to information sharing continue to limit effective safeguarding. Respondents also raised concerns about blame-based language, inconsistent definitions of criminal exploitation and significant gaps in support once young people turn 18.
The study identified seven priorities for strengthening responses, including a clear legal definition of child criminal exploitation, improved multi-agency coordination, better information sharing and stronger early intervention.
Dr Nina Maxwell, Principle Research Fellow in Child Health and Social Care at CASCADE, Cardiff University, said:
“The film is an authentic account of current service provision for criminally exploited children. The idea came from discussions with multi-agency professionals based on the research findings.We wanted it to reflect practice from young people’s perspectives, so we co-designed it with young people and are grateful to them for sharing their experiences. We also benefited from working with professionals who were honest about what works and what needs improving. I hope professionals watch the film with their multi-agency partners and that it prompts discussions about how services can work together to improve support for children and young people affected by criminal exploitation.”
Laurie Ryall, Director for Action for Children in Wales, said:
“Children who are criminally exploited are victims of abuse, yet too often they are treated first and foremost as offenders. This research shows how confusing and inconsistent responses can be for both children and professionals. By commissioning this film, we want to bring greater clarity, strengthen multi-agency working and ensure safeguarding – not punishment – is the starting point for every response.”
The findings echo themes identified in Action for Children’s Jay Review and reinforce calls for a dedicated Welsh strategy for criminally exploited children, helping to ensure consistent, victim-centred responses across Wales.
Watch the film
As part of this project, we worked with young people and professionals to co-produce Our Paths, Our Voices – a short film exploring responses to the criminal exploitation of children.
The film provides an authentic account of current service provision and is intended to support reflection, discussion and learning across agencies. We hope professionals watch it alongside their multi-agency partners and use it as a starting point for conversations about how services can work together to improve support for children and young people.
Share your feedback
We’d really value your feedback on Our Paths, Our Voices.
Whether you work in social care, education, policing, health, housing, youth justice, the third sector, or have another connection to this issue, your views will help us understand the film’s real-world impact and improve future work with children and young people affected by criminal exploitation.
The survey takes just 2–3 minutes to complete and responses can be provided anonymously.
Find out more
Read more about the project, research findings and recommendations: