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

UK’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner backs call for guardianship and local decision making for trafficked children as more children than adults are identified as potential victims for the first time

In her annual report laid before Parliament today, the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dame Sara Thornton, has echoed ECPAT UK’s call for Independent Child Trafficking Guardians to be immediately rolled out nationally and reaffirmed her support for localised decision making power to determine individuals’ official status as victims of trafficking at a time when more children than adults have been identified as potential victims for the first time.

ECPAT UK statement on non-affiliated campaigns against child trafficking

Child trafficking and exploitation are abhorrent crimes against those who are inherently vulnerable due to their age. Our work centres on the rights of the child. We continue to be at the forefront or holding governments, institutions and organisations accountable for children’s rights and protection. ECPAT UK works in coalition with many other organisations in the UK and abroad. However we are not affiliated or associated with recent high profile online campaigns against UK child sex offenders.

Raising more than money in ECPAT UK's summer sportathon

This summer, ECPAT UK’s supporters are taking part in a summer sportathon to raise money for our work. Our fundraiser, Lois Fallon, blogs about her experience taking part and raising more than money in the process, and shares her top tips for fundraising success.

ECPAT UK statement on the tragic death of a child in the English Channel

Statement from Patricia Durr, CEO of ECPAT UK, on the tragic death of a 16 year old Sudanese boy in the English Channel.

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.