Fearless Scotland

10/10/2026

A child can be at home while someone is still reaching, grooming or controlling them through their phone.

The criminal exploitation of children happens through relationships, peer groups, online spaces, transport routes, local areas and the places children spend time.

This is not about blaming parents or expecting them to monitor every conversation. It is about staying curious about who is making contact, where a child spends time and what may be changing around them.

Safer children need safer contexts, safer relationships and adults who do not look away.

Learn more and watch the full video: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children


Children and Young People's Centre for Justice Action for Children Scotland Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Police Scotland

08/10/2026

Realising that someone you trust is using you can be incredibly difficult.

Accepting that a relationship is exploitative may mean questioning your friendships, identity and choices, and admitting that something which felt positive was not what it appeared to be.

That is why simply telling a child, “You’re being exploited,” may not reach them.

Listen before applying labels. Stay curious about what the situation means to them and what they believe they would lose by walking away.

Understand the barriers:
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children


Action for Children Scotland Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Children and Young People's Centre for Justice Police Scotland

06/10/2026

An adult may see exploitation.
The child may see money, protection, belonging, status, power, escape or the only opportunity that feels open to them.

They may not describe themselves as a victim. They may believe they made a choice, understood the risks or gained something from being involved.

A child should not have to recognise the exploitation or use the language adults expect before protection is offered.

See the situation through their eyes:
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children

04/10/2026

Criminal exploitation rarely begins with threats or violence.
It often begins with attention, gifts, money, opportunity, protection or the feeling of being trusted.
Then it can change.

The favour becomes debt.
The lift becomes expectation.
The money becomes pressure.
The friendship becomes control.

A child may appear confident, willing or proud. None of that removes the harm.

Understand how criminal exploitation can develop and what adults might notice:
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children



Children and Young People's Centre for Justice Police Scotland Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Action for Children Scotland

01/10/2026

What is the criminal exploitation of children?

It happens when someone manipulates, pressures, controls or uses a child to take part in crime

Children may be asked to hold or move drugs, carry weapons, store money, steal, travel to other areas or recruit other children.

They may receive money, clothes, lifts, protection or status. But who makes the greatest profit? Who stays furthest from the consequences? Who carries the risk?

The criminal exploitation of children is child abuse.

Learn more: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children



Children and Young People's Centre for Justice Action for Children Scotland Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Police Scotland The Scottish Government

30/09/2026

Feral.
Yob.
Unsavable.

These are just some of the words that children who developed our latest campaign know have been used about them in the press, on social media and by the adults around them.

Before we can recognise the criminal exploitation of children, we must confront how we see children who break the law and the language we use about them.

Learn more: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children



Action for Children Scotland Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Police Scotland Children and Young People's Centre for Justice CashBack for Communities YouthLink Scotland

29/09/2026

Today we launched our new Fearless Scotland campaign on the criminal exploitation of children.

This campaign has been entirely designed from start to finish by children and young people, including those with direct experience of the justice system.

They told us that exploitation does not always feel like exploitation from the inside. It can feel like money, protection, belonging, status, power, escape or the only opportunity that seems open to them.

Over the coming weeks, we will explore the harm, the context, the barriers children face and the role every adult can play in building safety, hope and real opportunities.

Find out more: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless/criminal-exploitation-of-children



Siobhian Brown MSP Police Scotland Scottish Violence Reduction Unit The Scottish Government

14/08/2026

We were delighted to be invited to contribute to Police Scotland's short film and press going out today, marking the end of Scotland's first Violence Prevention Week, alongside the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit.

It’s also been great to support so many events connected to Operation Stardrop across Scotland - from Safer Shores activity in Ayrshire to our large event with over 150 young people in Edinburgh, with football clubs and all sorts in between.

The more young people know about our 100% anonymous reporting service, the more young people will feel able to speak up if they ever need to – helping to make Scotland safer for everyone.

04/08/2026

It's day and we're waiting for the text to come through in our house too!

No matter the results and no matter the question, help and advice is available through Skills Development Scotland and through your school or college.

Good luck ❤️

📅 Results Day is here! Congratulations if you're among the thousands of learners in Scotland receiving results.

Certificates are arriving by post today, and if you signed up to My Qualifications Scotland you'll also receive your results by text or email from 8am.

Whatever your results, there's lots of support out there for you:

💡 Careers advice from My World of Work
💡 College and uni info, including on Clearing, UCAS
💡 Our own Learner Support Hub: you can talk to us by phone and email, plus access resources online
💡 Our free appeals service opens from 9am

info.qualifications.gov.scot/results

27/06/2026

We're having a great time at YouthBeatz Dumfries this weekend!