Evidence Based Prosecution, Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines: Should we Bypass the Reluctant Victim?

• In Event: Prosecutorial Decision-making and Alternatives to trial 2. Emerging Issues in the Prosecutorial Process

Abstract

In response to the difficulties of securing victim testimony in ‘county lines’ child criminal exploitation (CCE) cases and the inherent vulnerability of those affected, the UK police have begun to utilise evidence-based prosecution (EBP) in conjunction with Section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA), as a means of securing convictions against adult perpetrators, bypassing the need for victim involvement. Nevertheless, despite judicial and legislative endorsement of EBP, the question of whether and how far it is in fact desirable to decentre the victim in such cases remains open for debate. Certainly, whilst EBP has been associated with increased convictions in domestic violence cases in the USA, existing research indicates mixed results in respect of longer-term risks of revictimization and indeed, a successful prosecution may mean very little to a victim who remains at risk of harm. Drawing upon case study research into a high-profile ‘county lines’ case example, this presentation will critically evaluate the EBP approach, considering whether it achieves victim recognition and safeguarding, or further disempowers victims and marginalises their experiences. It will make suggestions for further research into EBP and future directions for policy and practice.

Additional information
'County lines' is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”.

Author

• Julie Shaw, Liverpool John Moores University