We mean children who are groomed, pressured, threatened, or controlled into committing harm by others. This includes exploitation linked to county lines, violence, and drug networks. 

Because criminalisation causes lifelong harm and compounds the injustice of exploitation. Children who are victims should not be punished for abuse they did not freely choose. 

ECO’s primary focus is systemic change. We work to disrupt the structures and decision-making processes that lead to children being criminalised, rather than providing direct casework alone.  We do however develop research and guidance for those working directly with children and their families. 

Diversion addresses harm after criminalisation has already begun. ECO focuses on preventing criminalisation in the first place. 

We work with safeguarding partners, policymakers, practitioners, and organisations committed to protecting children and reducing injustice. 

We are saying children should not be punished for harm they were coerced into committing. Accountability without agency is not justice — it is punishment. 

Criminalising exploited children is the risk. It increases future harm, violence, and system dependency. 

We work with systems where possible and against them where necessary. Children’s welfare comes first. 

Yes. Criminalising exploited children is a political choice. Ending it requires political courage. 

The term “peer-on-peer” can sometimes hide the reality of exploitation. It suggests equality, when in fact there are often power imbalances, coercion, or adult influence behind the scenes.

If we treat children as independent offenders in these situations, we risk:

• Missing organised exploitation

• Criminalising victims

• Allowing those truly responsible to remain hidden

If criminalisation protected children, we wouldn’t still see widespread exploitation.

The reality is:

• Children continue to be exploited despite criminal justice responses

• Those exploiting them adapt quickly

• The system often targets the most visible (children), not the most responsible (exploiters)

Eco’s position is clear:

We need to shift from criminalising children to dismantling the systems that allow their exploitation to continue.

Yes. Children should be held accountable for the harm they cause, but accountability is not the same as punishment.

Meaningful accountability helps children understand the impact of their actions, take responsibility, repair harm where possible and develop the capacity to make different choices in the future. Approaches such as restorative justice, including the work of Common Justice, demonstrate that accountability can involve listening to those harmed, making amends and completing agreed actions to repair damage, rather than relying solely on punishment.

At the same time, children's actions must be understood within their developmental stage and life circumstances. Where exploitation, coercion, trauma or systemic failures have contributed to harmful behaviour, accountability should extend beyond the child to include the wider systems and conditions that shaped their experiences.

The goal should be accountability that promotes learning, repair, safety and positive change, rather than punishment alone.