The Concept of vulnerability and exploitation

Critical evaluation of historical and contemporary understanding of vulnerability and exploitation.

The factors that contribute to vulnerability and exploitation (Social factors, Economic factors, and Political factors)

The impact of vulnerability and exploitation on mental health, well-being and safeguarding

The effect of social media and mainstream media on vulnerability and exploitation



Analysis of intersectionality in examining vulnerability and exploitation

Understanding intersectionality

Language and discourse common in vulnerability and exploitation

Multiple identities and the effect on vulnerability and exploitation

Privilege, power and systems of oppression and the impact on vulnerability and exploitation



Serious and Complex Investigations Involving Vulnerability and Exploitation

Frameworks for understanding vulnerability and exploitation in investigative settings.

Legislation and government policy

Strategies for ethical Investigations where vulnerability and exploitation are a factor

Investigative processes and techniques for investigations into vulnerability and exploitation



Interventions and measures to reduce vulnerability and exploitation

Education and awareness

Collaboration and multi-agency working

Law enforcement response to reducing vulnerability and exploitation

Continuous monitoring and evaluation

The essay will address all three learning outcomes by way of a critical review of a case study of the student’s choice with research in support of the selected study. Students will be expected to critically engage with further research into the thematic areas identified in the learning outcomes and expand their understanding of the content of the module, in particular the concepts of vulnerability, exploitation, and intersectionality. The strategies, legislation and frameworks in place for investigations where vulnerability and exploitation are a factor will be subject of further critical analysis as will be the interventions and measures in place to reduce the impact on investigations. The essay will include an in-depth critical engagement of the issues arising with analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts of vulnerability and exploitation including intersectionality.

Critically evaluate the strategies, frameworks, and legislation for investigations where vulnerability and exploitation are factor.

Critically analyse the Interventions and measures in place to reduce the impact of vulnerability and exploitation.

The module is delivered by way of online lectures (synchronous and asynchronous), which provides students with an overview of the concepts and frameworks, including intersectionality and interventions around vulnerability and exploitation with a focus on theory and in investigative practice.

Detailed pre-reading will be required before taught sessions, and students will be supervised as they seek to develop ideas for their Independent Studies. The module will use a flipped learning approach from the outset which will encourage the students in the self-directed aspect of the learning in this module. Pre -reading, pre lecture study and pre lecture tasks will be a key feature of the flipped learning approach.

The lecture sessions will provide practically based scenario examples which will allow for group tasks for formative feedback.

Bhargava, V.R. and Velasquez, M., 2021. Ethics of the attention economy: The problem of social media addiction. Business Ethics Quarterly, 31(3), pp.321-359.



Carbado, D.W., Crenshaw, K.W., Mays, V.M. and Tomlinson, B., 2013. INTERSECTIONALITY: Mapping the Movements of a Theory1. Du Bois review: social science research on race, 10(2), pp.303-312.



Carter, E., 2023. Confirm Not Command: Examining Fraudsters’ Use of Language to Compel Victim Compliance in Their Own Exploitation. The British Journal of Criminology, p.azac098.

College of Policing (2021). Responding to child sexual exploitation. [online] College of Policing. Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/app/major-investigation-and-public-protection/responding-child-sexual-exploitation/responding-child-sexual-exploitation. [Accessed 3rd April 2023]



College of Policing (2022). Vulnerability-related Risks. [online] College of Policing. Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/guidance/vulnerability-related-risks. [Accessed 3rd April 2023]

College of Policing (2013). Risk Principles. [online] College of Policing. Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/app/risk/risk. [Accessed 3rd April 2023]



Dadvand, B. and McLeod, J., 2021. Youth, Education and the Ethos of Vulnerability in Uncertain Times. Journal of Applied Youth Studies, pp.1-6.



Huang, X., 2019. Understanding Bourdieu-cultural capital and habitus. Rev. Eur. Stud., 11, p.45.



Latham-Sprinkle, J., David, F., Bryant, K. and Larsen, J., 2019. Migrants and their vulnerability to human trafficking, modern slavery and forced labour.



Morese, R., Palermo, S., Defedele, M., Nervo, J. and Borraccino, A., 2019. Vulnerability and social exclusion: risk in adolescence and old age. In The new forms of social exclusion (pp. 1-16). IntechOpen.



National Crime Agency (2018). County Lines Drug Supply, Vulnerability and Harm 2018. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/257-county-lines-drug-supply-vulnerability-and-harm-2018/file. [Accessed 3rd April 2023]



Pinkney, L., Penhale, B., Manthorpe, J., Perkins, N., Reid, D. and Hussein, S., 2008. Voices from the frontline: social work practitioners' perceptions of multi-agency working in adult protection in England and Wales. The Journal of Adult Protection, 10(4), pp.12-24.



Supporting vulnerable people who encounter the police: A strategic guide for police forces and their partners The issues. (n.d.). Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/405397/6.379_Supporting_guidance_web_doc_v3.pdf#:~:text=The%20College%20of%20Policing%20is%20clear%20that%20police. [Accessed 3rdc April 2023]



Weissberger, G.H., Mosqueda, L., Nguyen, A.L., Samek, A., Boyle, P.A., Nguyen, C.P. and Han, S.D., 2020. Physical and mental health correlates of perceived financial exploitation in older adults: Preliminary findings from the Finance, Cognition, and Health in Elders Study (FINCHES). Aging & mental health, 24(5), pp.740-746.



Windle, J., Moyle, L. and Coomber, R., 2020. ‘Vulnerable’kids going country: children and young People’s involvement in county lines drug dealing. Youth Justice, 20(1-2), pp.64-78.



Zwolinski, M., Ferguson, B. and Wertheimer, A., 2001. Exploitation.

During this module, you will be encouraged to utilise Microsoft Teams and Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support your learning. You will be invited to collaborate with students and academic staff virtually through Microsoft Teams. You will have access to a range of materials on Blackboard VLE including articles, lecture slides, and interactive activities. You will also be able to access a variety of digital material through our¿Library¿and¿specialist¿databases.¿

In this module you will build on your previous academic and / or operational experience of investigations involving vulnerability and exploitation and take the opportunity to research and critically evaluate the concepts, frameworks and interventions that apply to vulnerability and exploitation. You will address the subject of intersectionality in vulnerability and exploitation with a focus in the investigative process.

Your skills in critical engagement with these broad themes will be expanded and along with your own research built into the assessment for the module.