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Stars across the globe raise their hands to stop child trafficking: Global petition launches to banish this modern day slave trade and protect child victims New research out today shows one in five British adults still donÕt believe that children are trafficked to the UK. In reality, hundreds of children from over 50 countries Ð some as young as 11 years old Ð are exploited in the UK every year. A petition calling for the UK Government to put the safety and wellbeing of young victims of trafficking at the heart of their plans launches today spearheaded by ECPAT UK and The Body Shop with the support of stars from around the world including Rob Lowe, Matt LeBlanc, Yoko Ono, Joanna Lumley, Sienna Miller, Robert Pattinson and Sir Ben Kingsley. While trafficking for sexual exploitation remains the most common form of child trafficking in the UK, children are also trafficked to the country for other types of abuse including labour exploitation, forced participation in criminal activities, forced marriage, illegal adoption and domestic servitude. Even children who are not trafficked for the explicit purpose of sexual exploitation are vulnerable to rape and sexual abuse because of the dangerous and hidden circumstances in which they are kept. Going Missing Additional research commissioned by The Body Shop to support the launch of the petition shows almost all (98%) adults in Britain think that every child in the UK has the right to feel safe and protected and more than two fifths (44%) think the way we currently deal with identified trafficked children isnÕt acceptable. 86% want a system of guardianship introduced so that every identified child has someone to take parental responsibility for them and look after their best interests. The Petition In the UK, we are specifically calling on the Government to offer greater care and protection to child victims of trafficking by ensuring every child is provided with a guardian to look after them.
Christine Beddoe, Director of ECPAT UK said, ÒChildren who have been trafficked will often have faced appalling situations of exploitation and abuse. They desperately need the support of a designated adult who, in the absence of a parent, can take decisions on the childÕs behalf and ensure they have access to safe accommodation, education and the medical, practical and legal support they need to help rebuild their lives. We are delighted that The Body Shop is joining with ECPAT UK to call for a system of guardianship to be introduced in the UK." Sign the petition right now at www.thebodyshop.com/stop or sign in any The Body Shop store from today. Jan Buckingham, Values Director at The Body Shop said, ÒWe are launching this petition, which will be presented to UK Government in 2011, because we do not believe enough is being done to stop sex trafficking and protect young victims. We want everyone to play their part to help stamp out this terrible violation of childrenÕs rights and protect victims of this horrific crime found on our shores.Ó The Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition will be activated in some 66 countries around the world. The UK section will be delivered to the Prime Minister in 2011. High Profile Supporters On Wednesday, an army of Lollipop ladies and gentlemen from around the capital gathered outside Westminster to publically show their support. School Crossing Patrol Officers already stop traffic for childrenÕs safety. Now, throughout London and the UK, they are getting together to help safeguard and protect vulnerable children currently being trafficked and sexually exploited in the UK. How Can You Help?
ENDS Notes to Editors PRESS CONTACT |
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