Hopeful futures photography competition: win an Instax camera!

"People should be given the opportunity to dream without being limited by what is around them."

- ECPAT UK youth group member

ECPAT UK is a leading charity working with young people who have been trafficked - supporting them to stand up for their rights and advocate for others.

Together, we launched our stable futures campaign calling on the government to change policies that leave trafficked young people in long term uncertainty and fearful about the future.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all of us. But with an improving picture, hope is on the horizon. While we’re all looking forward to getting much of our old lives back, we don’t have to return to how things were. We can use our shared experiences of the past year to advocate for change so that all young people have the freedom to live the life they’ve dreamed about.

The competition

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.

The prize

We’re excited to offer a brand new Instax camera to the competition winner!

Shortlisted entrants will also have their photos displayed in an online public exhibition and across our social media accounts.

This competition has now closed. Join us for an online exhibition at 5pm on 9th June to see the entries and find out if you're our winner!

Deadline

Only entries submitted by the 31^st May 2021 will be considered.

Our panel of young people affected by trafficking will judge the entries and we'll announce the winner on 9^th June 2021, during our virtual exhibition.

Terms and conditions

Photos must not contain nudity or other graphic, offensive, discriminatory or illegal content. Each photo must be an original artwork taken by the entrant. If your photo depicts another person, you must have their express permission.

Usage rights

By entering the competition, you are giving permission for ECPAT UK to use your photographs in its public campaigns and activities.

Enter the competition

Download our competition flyer to share with your networks

Latest

Joint statement on the treatment of unaccompanied children in response to Chief Inspectorate reports

ECPAT UK has joined 19 other organisations in continuing the call for an independent inquiry into the treatment of unaccompanied children following the publication of outstanding reports including the reinspection of Home Office hotels, by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
VIDEO EVENT - Prevention and identification of children and young adults experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery in the UK.

Launch event of our latest report, ‘Prevention and identification of children and young adults experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery in the UK', with ECPAT UK and Rights Lab on 26 February 2024.
ECPAT UK Expresses Deep Concern Over Dismissal of Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration  Amidst Unpublished Report on Unaccompanied Children in Home Office Hotels

Raising serious concerns about the UK government's accountability and commitment to child protection, the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, has been dismissed by the Home Office.
Prevention and identification of children and young adults experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery in the UK.

New research report reveals the alarming reality of child modern slavery in the UK and calls for urgent action to protect children and young people.

Child trafficking statistics

The latest data on the number of victims of trafficking in the UK and worldwide.
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.
What is child trafficking?
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.
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.
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.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights treaty that grants all children and young people (aged 17 and under) a comprehensive set of rights. The UK signed the Convention on 19 April 1990, ratified it on 16 December 1991 and it came into force on 15 January 1992.
About us

ECPAT UK is a leading children's rights organisation working to protect children from child trafficking and transnational child exploitation. We support children everywhere to uphold their rights and to live a life free from abuse and exploitation.
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
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).