Briefings

Cross-border safeguarding arrangements in the event of a no deal Brexit

In this joint parliamentary briefing with charities from across the children's sector, we highlight how leaving the European Union without a deal could affect the UK's ability to safeguard children Read more

How better cross-border cooperation will prevent trafficking of children in migration

The protection of children in migration is dependent on effective multi-agency and cross-border approaches where the best interests of the child are always the primary consideration in all actions taken. Download our briefing on how better cross-border cooperation will prevent trafficking of children in migration. Read more

Making Brexit work for children

Download the discussion paper produced jointly by ECPAT UK and organisations across the children's sector, exploring the specific implications of Brexit on children and young people. Read more

ATMG briefing on Brexit and modern slavery in the UK

Read the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group's briefing paper on Brexit and the UK's fight against modern slavery Read more

Global Forum of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Exploitation: Information Paper 1

In partnership with the Council of Europe, ECPAT International's Global Forum for adult survivors of childhood sexual exploitation is an opportunity for survivors from around the world to shape political and other important agenda by making recommendations to governments and other decision-makers. Read more

Refugee crisis in Europe and the rights of children

ECPAT UK and its global partners issue a statement on child protection in the context of the current refugee crisis in Europe. Read more

Developments in the UK's response to child trafficking and child sexual exploitation

This expert paper presents a brief overview of the scale of child sexual exploitation and child trafficking in the UK, a description of existing and new national responses to child protection, and an analysis of the international ramifications of domestic measures to prevent the sexual exploitation of children abroad by British nationals. Read more

Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

As part of its campaign against sexual exploitation and abuse of children in travel and tourism by British travelling sex offenders, ECPAT UK is calling on the UK Government to ratify and implement the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention). Read more

Trafficked children and missing

ECPAT UK and Missing People's information sheet highlights the increased risk of child victims of trafficking to go missing from care, where they are highly likely to return to exploitation. Read more

Online child exploitation

A transnational collaborative investigation by UK, US and Australian authorities has revealed the extent of the involvement of UK nationals, among others, in the sexual abuse of young children in the Philippines via web link. This briefing covers the issue of online child exploitation including transnational abuse by British citizens. Read more

Guardianship for child victims of trafficking

As part of its Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People campaign in collaboration with The Body Shop UK to protect child victims of trafficking, ECPAT UK is calling for a system of guardianship for child victims of trafficking. Read more

ATMG Briefing - An Independent Anti-Trafficking Commissioner

As part of its Three Small Steps campaign to protect child victims of trafficking, ECPAT UK is calling for the appointment of an independent Anti-Trafficking Commissioner, the equivalent of a National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking. Read more

RACE Project Briefing - Trafficking for Forced Labour in Cannabis Cultivation

This briefing outlines the issue of children and adults being trafficked across Europe for forced labour in cannabis factories who are frequently criminalised rather than provided with the support they are entitled to as trafficking victims. Read more

Latest

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.

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.

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.

Responses to questions raised at the launch of our joint review of what works in multi-agency safeguarding

Further to the virtual launch of ECPAT UK and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's joint review, A review of what works in multi-agency decision making and the implications for child victims of trafficking on the 12th August 2020, we're pleased to provide answers to the questions raised during the event.

The Secret Gardeners: New film on child trafficking from Vietnam

The Secret Gardeners aims to inform professionals about the plight of children who are forced by organised crime gangs to grow drugs in houses across the UK but who often face criminalisation and prison.

The National Referral Mechanism

The National Referral Mechanism is a process set up by the Government to identify and support victims of trafficking in the UK. It was born out of the Government's obligation to identify victims under the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Human Trafficking, which came into force on 1 February 2008.

Demand specialist support for trafficked children

In 2018 we worked with Care2 to call on the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, to overhaul the current system of identification and support for victims of trafficking – the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

Urgent action needed: Independent guardianship for all trafficked, unaccompanied and separated children

Last October, an incredible 120,535 supporters called for specialist support for all trafficked children. However, the fight is not finished. Make sure your voice is heard by contacting the Home Secretary asking him to provide guardianship for all trafficked, separated and unaccompanied children

Volunteer

ECPAT UK relies on committed volunteers to support the work that we do. Without their help, we would not be able to campaign as effectively against child exploitation.

Before the Harm is Done: Examining the UK's response to the prevention of trafficking

The UK Government is failing to protect thousands of children from exploitation by lacking a plan to prevent child trafficking, according to a new report by the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG), a coalition of twelve UK-based charities, including ECPAT UK. The report Before the Harm is Done, stresses that the UK has no specific strategy in relation to preventing trafficking in children, putting thousands of children at risk.