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  • New data obtained from the Home Office shows only 2% of child victims of trafficking are given Discretionary Leave to Remain in the UK

    New data obtained from the Home Office shows only 2% of child victims of trafficking are given Discretionary Leave to Remain in the UK

    On 17th February 2022, we published Home Office data accessed via an FOI request. It reveals that in 2019-2020, only 2% (17 out of 754) of children who were exploited and trafficked to the UK were granted the leave to remain to which they are entitled under international law. ECPAT UK's accompanying briefing looks at the data in the context of the Nationality and Borders Bill, and calls for Clause 64 of the Bill to incorporate specific entitlements for children in line with ECAT and UNCRC. Read more

  • IASC and ECPAT UK report on child trafficking in the UK in 2021

    IASC and ECPAT UK report on child trafficking in the UK in 2021

    The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and ECPAT UK have today launched Child trafficking in the UK: a snapshot. The report provides an outline of child trafficking between October 2020 and October 2021, including the latest data, policy developments, examples of promising practice and challenges faced by practitioners. It concludes with a series of 10 recommendations aimed at a range of stakeholders. Read more

  • New data obtained from the Home Office shows only 2% of child victims of trafficking are given Discretionary Leave to Remain in the UK
  • IASC and ECPAT UK report on child trafficking in the UK in 2021
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  1. Latest news
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News

ECPAT UK signs joint letter to Home Office about Rwanda policy's impact on children

ECPAT UK signs joint letter to Home Office about Rwanda policy's impact on children

ECPAT UK has joined 16 other organisations and experts in writing to the Home Office about their policy of flying people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda, and how the scheme is impacting children. Read more

Published: 14th June, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

Independent Review of Children’s Social Care launches its final report

Independent Review of Children’s Social Care launches its final report

The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care final report makes 72 recommendations. ECPAT UK's response looks at where the review falls short, and where it puts forward welcome proposals for improving services & protecting children's existing rights to protection and care. Read more

Published: 25th May, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

SPACE TO THRIVE: we need more support for child victims of trafficking and exploitation to recover from trauma and abuse

SPACE TO THRIVE: we need more support for child victims of trafficking and exploitation to recover from trauma and abuse

Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. Here, ECPAT UK reflects on the impact that trafficking and exploitation can have on the mental health of children and young people, and outlines how we can better support child victims to recover from trauma and abuse. Read more

Published: 17th May, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

Queen's speech announces significant reforms affecting children's rights

Queen's speech announces significant reforms affecting children's rights

The Queen’s Speech 2022 confirmed that in the new parliamentary session, there will be significant reform affecting the rights of children and young people. On the heels of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the government has announced more modern slavery legislation. It has affirmed too that the Online Safety Bill is carried over from the last parliamentary session. Also announced was a new Bill of Rights. Read more

Published: 11th May, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

ECPAT UK welcomes the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s annual report as Dame Sara Thornton stands down from the role

ECPAT UK welcomes the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s annual report as Dame Sara Thornton stands down from the role

Last week, Dame Sara Thornton’s third and final annual report as the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner was laid before parliament. ECPAT UK welcomes the report and thanks the Commissioner and her office for all their work over the past three years, especially the focus on child victims and their rights to protection and care. Read more

Published: 3rd May, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

Harmful Nationality and Borders Act passes - April 29th 2022

Harmful Nationality and Borders Act passes - April 29th 2022

Following a hard-fought battle to increase rights and protections in the legislation, the Nationality and Borders Act received Royal Assent this week. The Act will have a devastating impact for all trafficked children, and for migrant children who are at high risk of exploitation. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2022

Updated: 4th May, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

Public letter to Ministers: include protections for children in the Nationality and Borders Bill

Public letter to Ministers: include protections for children in the Nationality and Borders Bill

Expert organisations across the anti-slavery and child sectors including Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, the Coram Children’s Legal Centre and the Helen Bamber Foundation, have written a public letter to Ministers Michael Gove, Priti Patel and Nadhim Zahawi about the need to include protections for children in the Nationality and Borders Bill. Read more

Published: 22nd April, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

ECPAT UK Children's Champion 2022: nominations open

ECPAT UK Children's Champion 2022: nominations open

We're delighted to announce that ECPAT UK's Children's Champion award 2022 is now open for nominations! Each year, ECPAT UK recognises someone who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to trafficked children. The winner will be selected in June by our panel of staff, trustees and young people affected by trafficking. Send in your nominations by 17th June! Read more

Published: 22nd April, 2022

Updated: 27th April, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

One in three trafficked children go missing from local authority care

One in three trafficked children go missing from local authority care

ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking UK)'s and Missing People's new report finds that one in three trafficked children went missing from local authority care in 2020, which is a rise of 25% since 2018. Our analysis of data from Freedom of Information requests to local authorities shows that trafficked children who went missing in 2020 had an average of eight missing episodes that year. Read more

Published: 19th April, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

Important wins for child rights as the House of Lords pushes back on Priti Patel’s Nationality and Borders Bill with five major changes at report stage

Important wins for child rights as the House of Lords pushes back on Priti Patel’s Nationality and Borders Bill with five major changes at report stage

Last night’s Nationality and Borders Bill debate at report stage in the House of Lords saw significant wins for children’s rights as peers voted to prioritise child protection and mitigate damaging proposals on modern slavery and assessments of children’s ages in the Bill. Read more

Published: 9th March, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

STATEMENT FROM ECPAT in EUROPE: We must protect the lives of children from Ukraine from the war and its consequences

STATEMENT FROM ECPAT in EUROPE: We must protect the lives of children from Ukraine from the war and its consequences

26 European ECPAT members, including ECPAT UK, support this statement calling for the protection of children affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read more

Published: 7th March, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

In 2021, more children than ever before identified as potential victims of modern slavery

In 2021, more children than ever before identified as potential victims of modern slavery

Figures published by the Home Office in March 2022 show that more potential victims of child trafficking than ever before were identified in the UK last year. Read more

Published: 7th March, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

New data obtained from the Home Office shows only 2% of child victims of trafficking are given Discretionary Leave to Remain in the UK

New data obtained from the Home Office shows only 2% of child victims of trafficking are given Discretionary Leave to Remain in the UK

On 17th February 2022, we published Home Office data accessed via an FOI request. It reveals that in 2019-2020, only 2% (17 out of 754) of children who were exploited and trafficked to the UK were granted the leave to remain to which they are entitled under international law. ECPAT UK's accompanying briefing looks at the data in the context of the Nationality and Borders Bill, and calls for Clause 64 of the Bill to incorporate specific entitlements for children in line with ECAT and UNCRC. Read more

Published: 17th February, 2022

Author: Pandora Haydon

IASC and ECPAT UK report on child trafficking in the UK in 2021

IASC and ECPAT UK report on child trafficking in the UK in 2021

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and ECPAT UK have today launched Child trafficking in the UK: a snapshot. The report provides an outline of child trafficking between October 2020 and October 2021, including the latest data, policy developments, examples of promising practice and challenges faced by practitioners. It concludes with a series of 10 recommendations aimed at a range of stakeholders. Read more

Published: 23rd December, 2021

Updated: 24th December, 2021

Author: Patricia Durr

'It's About Family' Festive Celebratory Event

'It's About Family' Festive Celebratory Event

During our Big Give Week, we held a celebratory event: 'It's about family' and we are so grateful to all those who joined us, to the young people who shaped the event and contributed and to artists Nancy Hawa, Safia Lamrani, and Sarah Agha, for sharing their wonderful talents. Read more

Published: 1st December, 2021

Updated: 17th February, 2022

Author: Patricia Durr

ECPAT UK supports #KeepCaringTo18 campaign

ECPAT UK supports #KeepCaringTo18 campaign

ECPAT UK supports the #KeepCaringTo18 campaign because we oppose the creation of a two-tier care system. The recent change in the law discriminates based on age. Children in care aged 15 and under will always have care where they live. But 16 and 17 year-olds haven't been given this same protection and will be left at risk in unregulated accommodation and without care. Read more

Published: 13th September, 2021

Updated: 22nd November, 2021

Author: Patricia Durr

Youth group summer programme – a success!

Youth group summer programme – a success!

Our youth group members enjoyed meeting up for our summer programme of picnics and games and fun activities including a day trip to Thorpe Park, packed with thrilling rides, competitive bumper car racing, and a lot of group bonding. Read more

Published: 31st August, 2021

Updated: 10th December, 2021

Author: Lois Fallon

Statement on the Nationality and Borders Bill

Statement on the Nationality and Borders Bill

The government’s new nationality and borders bill will significantly impact children’s rights to protection and leave them at risk of dangerous journeys, trafficking and criminalisation. The legislation does not just contain measures on immigration which fail to protect those in need of safety but also makes extensive changes to the identification, protection and support of victims of trafficking and modern slavery, which is not an immigration matter. Read more

Published: 7th July, 2021

Updated: 3rd May, 2022

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Northern Ireland bill to provide greater protections to child victims of sexual exploitation online

Northern Ireland bill to provide greater protections to child victims of sexual exploitation online

Today, Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly Member Naomi Long has introduced a new bill aiming to improve services for victims of trafficking and exploitation and enhance public safety by updating laws on child sexual offences. ECPAT UK welcomes The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill, which contains a number of provisions to strengthen the response to child sexual exploitation. Read more

Published: 6th July, 2021

Updated: 7th July, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Pilot launched for local decision making for trafficked children

Pilot launched for local decision making for trafficked children

The government has announced the launch of a scheme piloting local decision making on children’s status as victims of trafficking. ECPAT UK welcomes the launch of the pilot, which has incorporated a number of our key recommendations. Read more

Published: 15th June, 2021

Updated: 6th July, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Hopeful Futures winners announced!

Hopeful Futures winners announced!

We're delighted to share the entries to our #HopefulFutures competition and announce our winner, Layla Carruthers, who has won an Instax camera! The competition was launched following a very challenging year for all of us, particularly for young people affected by trafficking. But with an improving picture, hope is on the horizon. While we're all excited to get much of our old lives back, we don’t have to return to how things were. We can call for all young people to have stable futures. Read more

Published: 9th June, 2021

Updated: 15th June, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

ECPAT UK welcomes new Chair and three new trustees

ECPAT UK welcomes new Chair and three new trustees

ECPAT UK is delighted to announce the appointment of four new trustees, including new Chair of the Board, Liz Barratt - Joint Head of Immigration at Bindmans. Liz is joined by new trustees Deveena Sahota, Renata de Groot and Geoff Corre and existing trustees Annabel Mullin and Nicky Guy. Read more

Published: 28th May, 2021

Updated: 17th February, 2022

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Guardianship expanded to more sites, but still not available to all trafficked children

Guardianship expanded to more sites, but still not available to all trafficked children

This week, the government announced that the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG) service has expanded to several new areas and is now accepting referrals in London (in addition to the Borough of Croydon where the service was already available), Essex, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, Kent, Surrey, Warwickshire, Bedfordshire, North Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Bristol, and Lancashire. However, many young people still lack access to this essential support. Read more

Published: 25th May, 2021

Updated: 28th May, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Queen’s Speech confirms plans to make new immigration proposals law

Queen’s Speech confirms plans to make new immigration proposals law

Today’s Queen’s Speech confirmed that in the new parliamentary session, the government will legislate to bring forward the proposals in the New Plan for Immigration as well as the new Online Safety Bill. While we welcome measures to make children safer online, we are extremely concerned about the impact of the immigration proposals on trafficked and unaccompanied children. Read more

Published: 11th May, 2021

Updated: 26th May, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

Have your say: impact of new immigration plan on trafficked children

Have your say: impact of new immigration plan on trafficked children

The government’s New Plan for Immigration includes proposals which will impact all child victims of trafficking as well as all children and young people subject to immigration control. We're concerned about a range of measures proposed which, taken together, will affect all child victims of trafficking, including British national children. Have your say — respond to the government's public consultation using our guide. Read more

Published: 21st April, 2021

Updated: 28th May, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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

Updated: 21st April, 2021

Author: Sinead Geoghegan

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Latest

  • ECPAT UK signs joint letter to Home Office about Rwanda policy's impact on children

    ECPAT UK signs joint letter to Home Office about Rwanda policy's impact on children

    ECPAT UK has joined 16 other organisations and experts in writing to the Home Office about their policy of flying people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda, and how the scheme is impacting children.

  • BIG GIVE week 2022: Thank you for your support!

    BIG GIVE week 2022: Thank you for your support!

    In June 2022 ECPAT UK partnered with the Big Give and The Childhood Trust to take part in the Champions for Children matched fundraising event! Between 14th-21st June 2022, every single donation we received was doubled by The Childhood Trust and our generous pledger funders!

  • RMCC briefing on government plans to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda

    RMCC briefing on government plans to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda

    The Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium, a coalition of over 60 organisations (including ECPAT UK), has produced this briefing outlining how the government's plan to remove people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda could impact children, and how to protect age-disputed young people from relocation under the scheme.

  • Thank you for joining us at our THRIVE event!

    Thank you for joining us at our THRIVE event!

    Thank you for joining us to fundraise for Thrive, a new therapeutic support service provided as part of the ECPAT UK Youth Programme.

Most read

  • Child trafficking statistics

    Child trafficking statistics

    The latest data on the number of victims of trafficking in the UK and worldwide.

  • 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.

  • National Referral Mechanism

    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?

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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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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