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  1. Latest news
  2. News and press releases

News

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. Read more

Published: 25th March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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. Read more

Published: 23rd March, 2021

Updated: 25th March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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. Read more

Published: 22nd March, 2021

Updated: 23rd March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Statement in response to the Home Office's announcement regarding the Modern Slavery Act

Statement in response to the Home Office's announcement regarding the Modern Slavery Act

ECPAT UK is alarmed at today’s news from the Home Office claiming there is widescale abuse of the National Referral Mechanism and announcing an overhaul of the Modern Slavery Act alongside the announcement of immigration reforms. While we are waiting to see details of the proposals this week and what it may mean for survivors of child trafficking and exploitation, we are very concerned about inaccuracies in the reporting of today’s statement. Read more

Published: 20th March, 2021

Updated: 22nd March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

In 2020, more children than ever identified as potential victims of trafficking

In 2020, more children than ever identified as potential victims of trafficking

The Home Office has today released official statistics showing more children than ever before were identified as potential victims of trafficking in 2020. ECPAT UK is concerned that more children than ever need specialist support while resourcing for this support continues to fall, responses to child victims are inconsistent across the country and children face unnecessary delays to decisions about their cases. Read more

Published: 18th March, 2021

Updated: 22nd March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Guardianship expanded to more pilot sites, but still not available nationwide

Guardianship expanded to more pilot sites, but still not available nationwide

The government has announced that the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians service will be expanded to more parts of England in late Spring. The service is currently operational in one third of local authority areas in England and Wales. ECPAT UK welcomes the expansion of the scheme, which will provide more trafficked children with vital specialist support across the country but is concerned that there is still no timescale for full rollout of the service nationally. Read more

Published: 10th March, 2021

Updated: 18th March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

ECPAT UK welcomes the issues included by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its upcoming inspection of the UK

ECPAT UK welcomes the issues included by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its upcoming inspection of the UK

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has included the key concerns raised by ECPAT UK in its List of issues prior to reporting (LOIPR) of the combined sixth and seventh reports of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – part of the Committee’s examination of how well the UK is meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Read more

Published: 19th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Landmark victory at the European Court of Human Rights for survivors of child trafficking

Landmark victory at the European Court of Human Rights for survivors of child trafficking

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that the UK Government failed to protect victims of child trafficking and breached two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, in a landmark case. The Court ordered the UK Government to pay €90,000 EUR (£78,590 GBP) in compensation to two Vietnamese young people involved who had been convicted of crimes as children despite signs they had been trafficked. Read more

Published: 17th February, 2021

Updated: 19th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Children's charities call for urgent support for unaccompanied children

Children's charities call for urgent support for unaccompanied children

ECPAT UK has joined the Refugee Council and other leading national children's charities calling for the government to urgently provide every unaccompanied child with the specialist care they need, in a letter to the Children's Minister Vicky Ford MP. Read more

Published: 29th January, 2021

Updated: 19th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Students’ relay around the world raises money for ECPAT UK

Students’ relay around the world raises money for ECPAT UK

Members of AIESEC, a not-for-profit organisation run by students and recent graduates, have completed an around the world relay race to raise money for ECPAT UK - running a staggering total of 276.92km over 31 hours, 5 minutes and 15 seconds. Read more

Published: 29th January, 2021

Updated: 18th March, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

New government strategy to tackle child sexual abuse includes welcome plan to protect children abroad

New government strategy to tackle child sexual abuse includes welcome plan to protect children abroad

The government has released its new strategy to tackle child sexual abuse. We welcome the government’s commitment to making sure all children, within and outside of the UK, are protected from sexual abuse and exploitation by UK nationals. Read more

Published: 22nd January, 2021

Updated: 24th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Statement following convictions of those involved in the Essex lorry deaths

Statement following convictions of those involved in the Essex lorry deaths

This week, two more men were found guilty of manslaughter following the deaths of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children in a lorry in Essex last October. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all the victims. The case highlights the precarious journeys people are compelled to make due to a lack of safe and legal routes, which pushes desperate people into the hands of smugglers and traffickers. Read more

Published: 23rd December, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Festive message from our CEO Patricia Durr

Festive message from our CEO Patricia Durr

As we come to the end of 2020, I want to say a big thank you to for all for your continued support in what has been the most challenging of years for all of us. You’ve stuck with us when we needed it the most and for that we will be endlessly grateful. Read more

Published: 22nd December, 2020

Updated: 17th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

ECPAT elves share festive joy with trafficked young people

ECPAT elves share festive joy with trafficked young people

Following a fantastic response to our winter appeal, the ECPAT UK team is delivering festive hampers to members of our youth groups for young people affected by trafficking. Each hamper contains ‘something to read, something you need and something you want’ along with festive messages from our supporters who are responding generously to our appeal. Here’s a sneak peak at what's inside the hampers and our team of ECPAT elves doing the deliveries! Read more

Published: 22nd December, 2020

Updated: 29th January, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Government publishes its response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation

Government publishes its response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation

The government has today published its response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation which is expected to be followed by an Online Harms Bill in early 2020. ECPAT UK welcomes this landmark proposal to keep children safe online. ECPAT UK welcomes the cross-party commitment to regulation of tech companies, recognition that this is a global problem requiring close collaboration with international partners and the proposed legal duty of care on tech companies to keep users safe. Read more

Published: 15th December, 2020

Updated: 13th January, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Education Secretary acted unlawfully in removing legal protections for children during the pandemic, Court of Appeal rules

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. Read more

Published: 25th November, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

UK child sex offender among “most prolific” ever investigated and brought to justice for online abuse

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. Read more

Published: 24th November, 2020

Updated: 11th February, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

ECPAT UK PACT project helped shine light on ways to reduce child trafficking, says Home Office evaluation

ECPAT UK PACT project helped shine light on ways to reduce child trafficking, says Home Office evaluation

The Home Office has released its evaluation of its Child Trafficking Protection Fund including our Partnership Against Child Trafficking (PACT) project, finding the project provided an “important pathway” to change the ways in which social care can reduce children’s vulnerability to trafficking and re-trafficking and contribute to improving local authority practice. Read more

Published: 19th November, 2020

Updated: 25th November, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Regional Practice Coordinators have a positive impact on trafficked children, but many still miss out

Regional Practice Coordinators have a positive impact on trafficked children, but many still miss out

A new assessment of the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG) service’s Regional Practice Coordinators (RPC) role has been released. ECPAT UK welcomes the report’s findings, including the positive impact of RPCs on child victims of exploitation and the professionals supporting them. However, we urge the government to immediately roll out the ICTG service across the country so that it is available to all who need this essential support. Read more

Published: 16th November, 2020

Updated: 15th December, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Marking Black History Month with our youth groups

Marking Black History Month with our youth groups

October is Black History Month and this year, our youth group members have led a series of workshops celebrating some of their favourite Black leaders, cultures, traditions and events. Over the past two weeks, members of our youth groups have each presented a part of Black history that is meaningful and inspiring to them, drawing on people and events from their own backgrounds and cultures as well as Black history in the UK and USA. Read more

Published: 30th October, 2020

Updated: 16th November, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Government failing child victims of trafficking, exclusive data reveals

Government failing child victims of trafficking, exclusive data reveals

The government is failing in its treatment of child victims of trafficking in a hostile immigration system, according to shocking new data obtained by ECPAT UK under the Freedom of Information Act ahead of the 10 year anniversary of the UK's Anti-Slavery Day. The data shows that 4,695 adults and children subject to immigration control were confirmed as victims of trafficking in the four-year period of 2016-2019. However just 28 child victims were granted discretionary leave to remain in the UK. Read more

Published: 17th October, 2020

Updated: 30th October, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

ECPAT UK presents to the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings for UK evaluation

ECPAT UK presents to the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings for UK evaluation

Today, ECPAT UK gave evidence on the non-punishment principle for child victims of trafficking to the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) at an open session with civil society as part of the group’s evaluation of the UK. Read more

Published: 29th September, 2020

Updated: 30th October, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

More children than adults are identified as potential victims of trafficking for the first time

More children than adults are identified as potential victims of trafficking 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. Read more

Published: 17th September, 2020

Updated: 23rd November, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

ECPAT UK statement on non-affiliated campaigns against child trafficking

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. Read more

Published: 1st September, 2020

Updated: 2nd September, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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

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. Read more

Published: 19th August, 2020

Updated: 15th December, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Plans to expand guardianship to more pilot sites, but many children still left behind

Plans to expand guardianship to more pilot sites, but many children still left behind

Last month, the Home Office announced that from January 2021, it plans to expand the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG) service to more parts of England. However, ECPAT UK remains concerned that five years after being enshrined in law, the scheme is yet to be fully rolled out – leaving the majority of child victims of trafficking unable to access this vital support. Read more

Published: 18th August, 2020

Updated: 17th November, 2020

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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Showing 10 of 178

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.

ECPAT UK
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