What is the impact on children?

Children may not only be deprived of their liberty and right to be free from exploitation and abuse, but also from health care and education. Those who have been trafficked may not show obvious signs of distress, but the short and long-term impact of exploitation cannot be underestimated. The creation of a false identity, together with the loss of family and community, may seriously undermine their self-worth and confidence.

There are various physical, emotional and psychological abuses that the child may have suffered and continue to experience. These include but are not limited to:

Physical abuse and physical disorders, such as skin diseases, headaches, backaches and/or general pains
Drug and alcohol addiction (particularly if the child has been given these in order to subdue them)
Disorientation and isolation, loss of trust, low self-esteem, depression and/or suicidal thoughts or attempts
Psychological distress/sense of powerlessness
Dependent relationships with abusers
Loss of ability to concentrate and/or memory loss
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety attacks, stress and/or nervous breakdowns
Anti-social behaviour, anger and/or fear of authorities
Sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and/or damage to reproductive health
Malnutrition, physical and/or sensory deprivation

The child may require immediate medical attention when discovered as commonly victims are deprived of routine and even emergency medical treatment by their traffickers. In the majority of cases, children will require mental health support, even if they do not initially wish to engage with health services.

Experiences of children who have been trafficked

“I will never be the same again…”
“I was hit in the head by my trafficker and I have problems remembering things from yesterday”
“My inner world has changed. The things around me have a different colour; everything seems to be dark grey…”
“Sometimes when I am in the street I feel that everyone is looking at me and I want to shout. I’m tired of being afraid…”
“What happened to me will always stay with me. Sometimes I still have nightmares”

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).