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  • child-trafficking-and-modern-slavery-research
  1. Resources
  2. Publications
  3. Reports
  4. Child trafficking and modern slavery research

Child trafficking and modern slavery research

Child trafficking in the UK 2020: A snapshot

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. Read more

Published: 17th October, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

A review of what works in multi-agency decision making and the implications for child victims of trafficking

A review of what works in multi-agency decision making and the implications for child victims of trafficking

ECPAT UK and the Office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner have produced a review into models of multi-agency decision making in the UK. A review of what works in multi-agency decision making and the implications for child victims of trafficking makes recommendations for best practice in multi-agency decision making for child victims of trafficking, including potential future devolved decision-making in the National Referral Mechanism. Read more

Published: 12th August, 2020

Updated: 17th October, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Interact report: Cross-border cooperation to protect children in migration from trafficking and exploitation

Interact report: Cross-border cooperation to protect children in migration from trafficking and exploitation

As part of our Safeguarding Migrant Children Across Europe (AMINA) project, ECPAT UK and Missing Children Europe's new report 'Interact: Towards a more efficient cooperation across borders for the protection of children in migration from trafficking and exploitation' identifies gaps in child protections and makes recommendations to ensure children are safeguarded. Read more

Published: 10th December, 2019

Updated: 30th May, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Real people, real lives: Ten years of advocacy for victims of slavery in the UK

Real people, real lives: Ten years of advocacy for victims of slavery in the UK

This report from the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG), Real People, Real lives: Ten years of advocacy for victims of slavery in the UK, tells the story of how and why the ATMG was formed, and aims to illustrate the coalition as a model for good practice in holding governments around the world to account through ‘critical friendship’. Read more

Published: 1st September, 2019

Updated: 12th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

FAQs on child trafficking

FAQs on child trafficking

Child trafficking is a complex phenomenon. We created our FAQs on child trafficking resource to answer some of the most commonly asked questions in our daily interactions with child protection professionals and members of the public. Read more

Published: 30th April, 2019

Updated: 18th March, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Precarious journeys: Mapping vulnerabilities of victims of trafficking from Vietnam to Europe

Precarious journeys: Mapping vulnerabilities of victims of trafficking from Vietnam to Europe

New research by ECPAT UK, Anti-Slavery International and Pacific Links Foundation traces the journeys made by Vietnamese children and adults migrating irregularly from Vietnam to the UK via Europe. The report, Precarious Journeys: Mapping Vulnerabilities of Victims of Trafficking from Vietnam to Europe, finds that the governments of countries on key trafficking routes routinely fail to protect Vietnamese children from trafficking, leaving them vulnerable to continued exploitation and abuse. Read more

Published: 7th March, 2019

Updated: 22nd October, 2019

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Still in Harm's Way: An update report on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK

Still in Harm's Way: An update report on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK

Following our ground-breaking 2016 research, leading charities ECPAT UK and Missing People have revisited the issue of trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care using 2017. Still in Harm's Way: An update report on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK finds that these children are still going missing at an alarmingly high rate. Read more

Published: 19th December, 2018

Updated: 12th August, 2019

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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

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. Read more

Published: 11th September, 2018

Updated: 20th December, 2018

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Child trafficking in the UK 2018: A snapshot

Child trafficking in the UK 2018: A snapshot

ECPAT UK's new snapshot report provides an overview of the state of modern slavery affecting children in the UK, drawing on our experience of working with young people who have been exploited, and compiling the latest statistics and recent policy developments on this important issue. Read more

Published: 18th June, 2018

Updated: 7th March, 2019

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Time to transform: Frontline professionals' views on the National Referral Mechanism

Time to transform: Frontline professionals' views on the National Referral Mechanism

Time to transform shows the results of ECPAT UK's survey into frontline professionals’ attitudes towards the National Referral Mechanism, specifically in regard to children’s cases. Read more

Published: 21st November, 2017

Updated: 21st June, 2018

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Lighting the way

Lighting the way

The second report for the ReACT project provides guidance for professionals on how to improve the identification and protection of children who may have been trafficked. Read more

Published: 3rd August, 2017

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Better support, better protection: Steps lawyers and guardians can take to better identify and protect trafficked children

Better support, better protection: Steps lawyers and guardians can take to better identify and protect trafficked children

This report for the ReACT project provides a snapshot of the manner in which children who may have been trafficked into and within five EU states were or were not identified and protected in and up to 2016. Read more

Published: 24th January, 2017

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Heading back to harm: A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK

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. Read more

Published: 24th January, 2017

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Class Acts? Examining modern slavery legislation across the UK

Class Acts? Examining modern slavery legislation across the UK

Has new anti-slavery legislation across the UK increased prosecution of traffickers, prevented further trafficking and enhanced the protection of victims? Read more

Published: 10th October, 2016

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Time to deliver

Time to deliver

Victims of trafficking who are pregnant or have children are ‘systematically overlooked’ in the UK’s anti-trafficking response, according to a new report by the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG), a coalition of twelve UK-based charities, including ECPAT UK. Read more

Published: 23rd February, 2016

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Evaluation of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates trial: Final Report

Evaluation of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates trial: Final Report

This report presents findings from an evaluation of a one-year trial of the Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTA) service that took place across 23 local authority areas in England. The trial was part of the Government’s commitment to section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which sets out provisions for the ICTA service. Read more

Published: 21st December, 2015

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

UK implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

UK implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

UK Government policies and spending decisions are failing to prioritise children, including child victims of trafficking, according to new research by the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), which ECPAT UK is a member. Read more

Published: 1st July, 2015

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

FAQs on child trafficking

FAQs on child trafficking

Child trafficking is a complex phenomenon. Here are answers to ten of the most commonly asked questions in our daily interactions with child protection professionals. Read more

Published: 1st October, 2014

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Trafficking for Forced Criminal Activities and Begging in Europe

Trafficking for Forced Criminal Activities and Begging in Europe

The UK and neighbouring European states fail to protect thousands of adults and children trafficked and forced into crime, according to a new study by the RACE in Europe Project. Read more

Published: 30th September, 2014

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Proposal for a Revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM): For Adults

Proposal for a Revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM): For Adults

The Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG) proposes replacing the current “flawed” system for adults with one of two models, utilising victim-centred and human rights-based approaches, and drawing on the OHCHR Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking. Read more

Published: 8th September, 2014

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Proposal for a Revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM): For Children

Proposal for a Revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM): For Children

ECPAT UK, as part of the ATMG, has proposed an "alternative" NRM model that puts children at the heart of the identification process, embedding it within existing safeguarding systems in order to identify more children who may have been trafficked and generally improve the UK’s response to trafficked children. Read more

Published: 8th September, 2014

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Human Exploitation Bill

Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Human Exploitation Bill

The UK Government’s claim that it will produce a ‘world-leading Modern Slavery Bill’ has been challenged by a group of leading anti-trafficking charities, including ECPAT UK, who today published an ‘Alternative Bill’ highlighting deficiencies in the legislation. Read more

Published: 1st September, 2014

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

The National Referral Mechanism: A Five Year Review

The National Referral Mechanism: A Five Year Review

The NRM process is at its worst discriminatory, flagrantly disregards specialist professional opinion and places victims of trafficking into situations of despair, the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG) has said in its latest review. Read more

Published: 10th February, 2014

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

Hidden in plain sight

Hidden in plain sight

The latest Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG) report analyses the UK's measures to protect trafficked persons three years on from the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Read more

Published: 7th October, 2013

Updated: 6th December, 2019

Author: Ryan Mahan

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Showing 10 of 35

Latest

  • Take part in the 5k May challenge!

    Take part in the 5k May challenge!

    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

    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.

  • Solihull lawyer Maria Demosthenous named Children's Champion 2020

    Solihull lawyer Maria Demosthenous named Children's Champion 2020

    Maria Demosthenous, a senior child care solicitor with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, has been awarded ECPAT UK’s Children’s Champion Award for 2020. The award is made in recognition of Maria’s outstanding commitment to child victims of trafficking in her local authority over the last 13 years.

  • New resources: Migration, trafficking and your rights in the UK criminal justice system

    New resources: Migration, trafficking and your rights in the UK criminal justice system

    ECPAT UK has today released new resources informing Vietnamese migrants in the UK about their rights in the UK criminal justice system. Produced in partnership with World Vision Vietnam (WVV) for its Home Office-funded Tackling Modern Slavery project, the resources comprise a child friendly film and digital information resource, and a film and information resource for adults.

Most read

  • The Secret Gardeners: New film on child trafficking from Vietnam

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Child trafficking statistics

  • Heading back to harm: A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK

    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

    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 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.

Latest tweet

  • Live now: join us and friends @AfterExpProject at James Acaster’s EDM DJ set against the detention of trafficking s… https://t.co/t7Zht7jqlL

    16thApril, 2021 @ECPATUK
  • Join us in taking part in #5kMay! How it works: 1⃣ Complete a 5k during May - you can run, walk, hop, skip or wha… https://t.co/BEQVsvL1FV

    16thApril, 2021 @ECPATUK
  • RT @ChildLawCentre: In our joint response to the Draft Modern Slavery Strategy 2021-22, with @ECPATUK, we raised concerns around the cr… https://t.co/NEh8lyy3iV

    12thApril, 2021 @ECPATUK

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Report immediate concerns about a child's welfare

If you have an immediate concern about a child's welfare, please contact your local council's social care department, who are available 24 hours a day. You can find their contact details on the Directgov website or in the phone book.

You can also contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If your concern is urgent, please call the police in your area or 999.

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