Monday, 21st November 2016

UPDATE: This appeal is now closed. ECPAT UK’s work to stop child trafficking, modern slavery and sexual abuse in tourism has been featured in the latest BBC Lifeline Appeal.

The Lifeline Appeal highlights the transformative power of ECPAT UK’s campaigning and youth work, featuring the stories of two youth group members on the path to rebuilding their lives with ECPAT UK after enduring years of exploitation and abuse in domestic servitude in London.

Presenter Anita Rani, famed Countryfile co-host and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, said: "It's hard to imagine just how lonely and damaging the experiences of being trafficked are for children, but there is something you can do, support ECPAT UK.”

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPORT THE APPEAL

Nearly a thousand children are known to be trafficked into Britain every year. Some are forced into cannabis cultivation, sexual exploitation or made to work as domestic slaves.

In the film, Anita hears the distressing stories of Lisa and Sophie, who were both young girls when they were forced into domestic servitude in the UK.

With the help of ECPAT UK’s group sessions, they and other young people are rebuilding their lives and making big plans for the future.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPORT THE APPEAL

Anita Rani's work as one of the BBC's most versatile and intrepid presenters has taken her to wildly contrasting locations: from a refugee camp in Jordan to the streets of downtown Manhattan; from the shiny floors of Strictly Come Dancing to the railway carriages of Mumbai. Closer to home, she's appalled to find out about the level of human trafficking and modern slavery in the UK, which is why she wanted to present the BBC Lifeline appeal on behalf of ECPAT UK.

While filming this Lifeline appeal, Anita was able to meet some of the young people from ECPAT UK's groups. The group, who are filmed anonymously in the appeal, met with Anita to share some of the ways that ECPAT UK has improved their lives. "I could see the transformation in their eyes," remembers Anita.

About the BBC Lifeline Appeal

The BBC's monthly charity appeal programme, in which a well-known personality introduces the vital work of a charity they care about, and appeals for donations.

ENDS

Press contacts

Bharti Patel, CEO, ECPAT UK, 020 7607 2136, [email protected]

Chloe Setter, Head of Advocacy, Policy & Campaigns, ECPAT UK, 07890 120834 [email protected]