Transnational child exploitation research

Terminology guidelines

The Terminology and Semantics Interagency Working Group, comprised of ECPAT and partners, has produced guidelines on terminology for the protection of chldren from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse Read more

Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism (SECTT)

ECPAT's recommendations for action help protect children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism (SECTT). Read more

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

As part of its campaign against child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism by British travelling sex offenders, ECPAT UK has written a briefing 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

Offenders on the move: Global study on sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism 2016

More children are at risk of sexual exploitation than ever before, particularly in travel and tourism, a two-year global study by ECPAT has revealed. Read more

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

The UK Government's increased focus on CSE, modern slavery, child trafficking and the hospitality sector has not been fully reflected in the its international responses to transnational CSE and other forms of child trafficking, argues a new expert paper from ECPAT UK. Read more

The Davies Review: Civil Prevention Orders in the Sexual Offences Act 2003

The existing statutory regime presents unnecessary and unreasonable obstruction to the objective of preventing sexual abuse of children, most particularly in vulnerable jurisdictions, according to a new report by ECPAT UK. Read more

Off the Radar: Protecting Children from British Sex Offenders who Travel

Despite improvements to legislation and some notable efforts on the part of individual police forces, British nationals continue to travel abroad to abuse children, according to a report by ECPAT UK. Read more

Return to Sender: British child sex offenders abroad – why more must be done

Despite its international reputation for its robust approach to child protection, the UK compares poorly against other countries with similar legal frameworks such as Australia and the United States, according to the ECPAT UK's report Return to Sender. Read more

Latest

21 charities ask Children's Commissioner to investigate failings to children and young people during Covid-19 pandemic

ECPAT UK, MiCLU, Shpresa Programme, Young Roots and 17 other organisations have written to the Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, to highlight the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on looked after children and young people seeking asylum, including those who have been trafficked. The letter calls on the Commissioner to use her statutory powers to investigate cases of serious failings in support for this vulnerable group of children and young people.

Standing together in solidarity with Black Lives Matter

The murder of George Floyd by police in the USA has shone a light on the racism, injustice and inequality that black and minority ethnic people experience globally and the systemic and global inequality that historic ideas about race have produced. We stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter campaign and all those protesting against racism.

The impact of Covid-19 on victims of trafficking, now and beyond

As lockdown measures begin to ease, many of us across the country are eagerly waiting a return to normality. But for children and young people affected by trafficking, the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic has created a new set of risks and obstacles - deepening inequalities, worsening instability and creating a perfect storm for children to be re-trafficked or harmed.

In it together: How we’re supporting young victims of trafficking through the lockdown

The UK lockdown has brought new challenges to members of our youth programme and has forced us to adapt the support we provide them. But thanks to the dedication and resilience of our youth workers, volunteers and young people, our regular peer support sessions are continuing online and we’re able to respond quickly to emerging needs.

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.

Child trafficking statistics

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.