ECPAT UK and The Body Shop were joined by celebrity campaign supporter Martine McCutcheon on 12th May 2011 to hand over the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition to 10 Downing Street. Signed by an incredible 735,889 Britons, the petition is the largest to be received by the coalition government and calls for the introduction of a system of guardianship for child victims of trafficking.

What would guardianship mean for children who are trafficked?

Launched in July 2010 by The Body Shop and ECPAT UK, the petition calls for the UK Government to introduce a guardianship system for all child victims of trafficking, providing them with better care and support to prevent them from facing further exploitation and harm from traffickers.

Commenting on why she is supporting the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People petition Martine McCutcheon said,“Hundreds of vulnerable children are trafficked into the UK from over 52 countries.Even those who are identified are often left without proper care and support. Three years ago it was reported more than 60% of identified children go missing from local authority care and are never found  and still nothing has been done to protect them!  Like the 735,889  Britons who have signed the petition, I believe this is unacceptable and join them in urging David Cameron and the Government to implement the legislative changes that The Body Shop and ECPAT UK petition demands. In doing so we can end this dreadful abuse of children.”

The Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition campaign has attracted other high profile campaign supporters and MPs including: JLS, Pixie Lott, Cherie Blair, Jamie Oliver, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Uma Thurman, Nicole Kidman, Rob Lowe, Lily Cole, Mark Ronson, Kim Cattrall, Sir Ben Kingsley, Diane Abbot MP, Caroline Lucas MP and Robert Buckland MP to name but a few. 

Explaining why The Body Shop spearheaded this campaign, Christopher Davis, International Campaigns Director for The Body Shop said, “The Body Shop has never shied away from tackling controversial issues, including bringing this modern-day slave trade to an end.  The Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition campaign has been launched in 50 countries around the world and have already inspired change – it is now its time to make a stand in the UK. This petition and the sheer number of signatures clearly demonstrate that the British public cares - our call for positive change cannot be ignored.”

Christine Beddoe, Director of ECPAT UK said, “Today in the UK children are still being put through the most traumatic and terrible experiences. We call on the Prime Minister to listen to our petition call for change and ensure that a system of guardianship for all child victims of trafficking is introduced as soon as possible.”

The UK petition forms part of a global three year partnership between The Body Shop and ECPAT International to combat child trafficking for sexual exploitation. Petitions have also been launched in 50 countries around the world and the current global signature total stands at 5.9 million. The global total will be submitted to the UN later this year in a united call for action.

12th May 2011.

ENDS

For further information and imagery please contact the team on 08448 751 524 or TBS@SLAMPR.COM

Notes to editors:

Guardianship
Children who have been trafficked will often have faced appalling situations of exploitation and abuse. They desperately need the support of a designated adult. Providing guardianship is hugely important:

• A system of guardianship would mean that every child victim of trafficking would have someone with parental responsibility to care and support them

• A guardian would protect each child and prevent them from facing further exploitation and harm from traffickers

• A guardian would ensure that every child victim of trafficking would receive the educational, medical, practical and legal support they need to help rebuild their lives