Trafficking in people involves a collection of crimes, spanning a variety of countries and involving an increasing number of victims - resulting in considerable suffering for those trafficked. It includes the exploitation of children through force, coercion, threat and the use of deception and human rights abuses such as debt bondage, deprivation of liberty and lack of control over ones labour. It includes the movement of people across borders and also the movement and exploitation within borders. The persons who are trafficked have very little choice in what happens to them and usually suffer abuse due to threats and use of violence against them and / or their family. "Smuggled children" should always be viewed as trafficked children as they can not objectively consent.
The UK is a transit and destination country for trafficked children and young people. Children are trafficked for various reasons, including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, labour, benefit fraud and involvement in criminal activitiy such as pickpocketing, theft and working in cannabis farms. There are a number of cases, too, of minors being exploted in the sex industry. Although there is no evidence of other forms of exploitation such as 'organ donation' or 'harvesting' all agencies should remain vigilant.
Such children enter the UK through various means. Some enter as unaccompanied asylum seekers, or students or as visitors. Children are also bought in by adults who state that they are their dependants, or are met at airports or other ports of entry by an adult who claims to be a relative. It has been suggested that children have been brought via internet transactions, foster arrangements, and contracts as domestic staff. In some cases girls aged 16 or 17 will have been tricked into bogus marriage for the purpose of sexual exploitation. If it is suspected that a child is the victim of trafficking the police and children's social care should be informed. Agencies should work together to ensure a joined up response.
Early identification is key to protecting these vulnerable children. Children do not have to be trafficked across international borders to be exploited. There is evidence that some UK resident children, mainly young girls, are being groomed, coerced and moved around towns and cities within the UK for purposes of sexual exploitation. Relevant agencies should remain alert to the possibility that this can happen and work together to address it.
For information and guidance on trafficked children please click on the below link.
DCSF_Child Trafficking.pdf
Tackling human trafficking.pdf
This information has been taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010.
A local protocol has been developed to help staff across Hampshire, Isle of Whight, Portsmouth and Southampton to respond effectively when working with children who may have been trafficked.
Please click here to download the 4 LSCB Child Trafficking Protocol (Accepted by Portsmouth and Hampshire LSCBs April 2011).
If you are concerned about a child or young person please follow the gudance within the 4 LSCB Safeguarding Children Procedures:
