Exploitation involves an individual, or groups, that may be in a vulnerable position under another individual or group. These individuals, or groups, are taken advantage of, which can be in various ways. As explained in the module exploitation involves a transaction that has unfair advantage over one of the parties involved. The scope of the type of transaction can range from all types of industries and people of all age groups.
Thinking about exploitation on a continuum expands possibilities to understand this concept because of the multiple aspects that are involved and intertwined with one another. Exploitation can be seen with all types of people, and in any way that someone might want power, control, and advantage over a person for their own interests. Exploitation can be present in public and private spaces with different purposes. Acknowledging that exploitation can be on any level and there are some people who may be at more risk than others, such as children, helps keep an open mind to how exploitation might take place and how to prevent it. By thinking about exploitation in a context of many types of backgrounds allows many of the processes and ways of exploitation to be understood.