Supporting young people

ECPAT UK's direct work with young victims of child trafficking provides a space for peer support, skills-building and rights-based education through our youth programme, available through separate youth groups for male and female members, as well as the ethical and meaningful participation of young survivors of trafficking in ECPAT UK's research, campaigns and training work.

Youth advisory group

ECPAT UK’s youth advisory group is made up of former members of our youth programme for victims of child trafficking, as well as current long-term members who are interested in steering the organisation’s campaigns and strategy. Read more

Trafficked girls and young women's group

The award-winning ECPAT UK Trafficked girls and young women's group was the first-ever peer support group for trafficked young people in the UK. It provides a safe space where young people who have been through emotional trauma can socialise and get involved in projects, such as drama and arts, as a way for them to recover from their experiences. Read more

Trafficked boys and young men's group

ECPAT UK runs a project supporting boys and young men who have been trafficked to the UK. The project draws on the successful model of peer support for trafficked girls and young women pioneered by ECPAT UK. Read more

Latest

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.

Take part in the 2.6 challenge

Help raise vital money for our work with trafficked children and young people this Sunday, 26th April by joining the 2.6 challenge! On the day the London marathon was due to take place, join thousands across the country taking part in a fundraising challenge from home. Simply pick a challenge based around the numbers 26 or 2.6 and get fundraising!

ECPAT UK and UK's Anti-Slavery Commissioner call for evidence of best practice in multi-agency decision making

The UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has today launched a call for evidence to identify models of good practice for multi-agency decision making. If you’re a frontline professional with experience of multi-agency working, we want to hear from you.

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.