ECPAT UK

20th anniversary of the Palermo Protocol

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Palermo Protocol – the world’s first legally binding instrument with an agreed definition on human trafficking. ECPAT UK’s Sinead Geoghegan writes about child trafficking in the UK 20 years on and what we need to do to prevent trafficking and support victims. Read more
Education Secretary acted unlawfully in removing legal protections for children during the pandemic, Court of Appeal rules

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Secretary of State for Education unlawfully removed safeguards for children in care during the Coronavirus pandemic. Led by the charity Article 39, ECPAT UK and over 60 other child rights organisations publicly campaigned against the changes, introduced overnight under Statutory Instrument 445 without public consultation or parliamentary debate. Read more
Give a festive hamper

This year, we’re asking for your help to provide festive hampers for young members of our youth groups for victims of child trafficking - filled with essential items including food and gifts. These hampers will contain ‘something to read, something you need and something you want’, and will remind each young person that they're not alone this festive season and that people like you care. Read more
Nominate your Children's Champion for 2020!

We’re pleased to open this year’s public nominations for our Children’s Champion for 2020. Each year, ECPAT UK recognises someone who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to trafficked children with our Children’s Champion award. Our previous winners have included lawyers, campaigners, advocates, guardians, local authority staff and many more dedicated to trafficked children’s rights. Nominate your Children's Champion today! Read more

UK child sex offender among “most prolific” ever investigated and brought to justice for online abuse

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has successfully brought one of the most prolific child sexual abuse offenders to justice for crimes committed online against children in the UK and abroad, highlighting the central role of evidence from social media companies and joining a growing number of children’s charities, child rights advocates and public officials calling for Facebook to urgently halt plans to implement end-to-end encryption which leaves children at significant risk.

Stable futures: Protect trafficked children in the long term

Current campaign: All young people should have the support and security they need to plan for their futures as they reach adulthood. Join us in calling on the UK Government to give trafficked and unaccompanied children their future back. Sign the petition today.

Child trafficking in the UK 2020: A snapshot

ECPAT UK's latest snapshot report on child trafficking in the UK provides an overview of the issues affecting children, including inadequate support provision and long term instability. The report highlights never seen before data on immigration outcomes for child victims, secured through Freedom of Information Act requests to the Home Office.

ECPAT UK training

ECPAT UK offers a comprehensive training programme, in line with National Occupational Standards, delivering courses for more than 20 years to help improve responses to child trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation.