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

Hopeful futures photography competition: win an Instax camera!

As part of our 'stable futures' campaign, we’re calling for original photos that capture your vision of a stable, happy and hopeful future. The brief is broad – we want you to reflect on the question ‘what does freedom mean to you?’ Your photos can depict anything that represents your dreams, future potential and life without limits. The winning photo will inspire feelings of warmth, togetherness, hope and fulfilment.
Have your say: impact of new immigration plan on trafficked children

The government’s New Plan for Immigration includes proposals which will impact all child victims of trafficking as well as all children and young people subject to immigration control. We're concerned about a range of measures proposed which, taken together, will affect all child victims of trafficking, including British national children. Have your say — respond to the government's public consultation using our guide.
Take part in 5k May!

This month we're taking part in #5kMay! If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the smallest things can make the biggest impact. That’s why we’re calling on you to take part in a 5k during May and donate £5 to us! We're a small charity achieving big things, and every £1 raised makes a difference.
Government immigration reforms could set back progress in support for child victims of trafficking

The Home Office has published their ‘New Plan for Immigration’ which includes a significant number of proposals to reform modern slavery legislation which will affect survivors of child exploitation. Wider measures relating to asylum policy will also be detrimental to survivors who also apply for asylum, a procedure which is already very challenging for many child victims to navigate.

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.
Child trafficking statistics

The latest data on the number of victims of trafficking in the UK and worldwide.
Heading back to harm: A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK

Trafficked and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are going missing from UK care at an “alarmingly high” rate, according to a new study by leading charities ECPAT UK and Missing People.
Our team

ECPAT UK's team has more than 30 years' experience working on issues of child trafficking, child protection, child sexual exploitation, unaccompanied children, modern slavery and more.
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.