“Children are not commodities. Child trafficking is child abuse”
Jim Gamble, ACPO lead for Child Trafficking
Chief Executive, Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
It is sad fact that children are bought and sold around the world, trafficked into, within and out of many countries, including the UK, for a multitude of reasons. It is a complex and often hidden crime that is largely unseen by broader society. Whether for sexual abuse, domestic servitude, benefit fraud or forced labour - this exploitation of children must stop.
Child trafficking is not about migration or immigration. It has been perceived as such because it is synonymous with the movement of people; however, a child can find themselves a victim of trafficking whatever their nationality or immigration status. This exploitation of children can and does happen here in the UK as well as further afield. However it manifests itself, child trafficking is child abuse.
At the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, a dedicated unit has been set up to provide a specialist, child-focused and protective approach to tackling child trafficking.
Working alongside law enforcement partners, the UK Human Trafficking Centre, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the UK Border Agency, specialist charities and NGOs, the CEOP Child Trafficking Unit provides a focal point for the production and dissemination of knowledge, information and understanding on the nature and scale of the trafficking of children in the UK, along with policy, guidance and training on the best responses to the problems identified.
Every year the Child Trafficking Unit produces the national strategic intelligence picture as it relates to child trafficking. Utilising information from law enforcement, children’s services and NGOs in the UK, this analysis is used to inform operational deployments and policy makers alike. For further information on this report please contact the Child Trafficking Unit at childtraffickingunit@ceop.gov.uk.
Click here to access ‘A Scoping Study into Child Trafficking in the UK, 2007’
Why are children trafficked?
Children and young people are trafficked into, within and out of the UK for many different types of exploitation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- sexual exploitation
- labour exploitation – such as in cooking and cleaning in restaurants
- domestic servitude
- enforced criminal activity – such as street crime, fraud or cannabis cultivation
- illegal adoption
- underage, servile or forced marriage
- benefit fraud
All forms of child exploitation are child abuse.
Reporting a child victim of trafficking
If you are a member of the public and are concerned a child you know is a victim of trafficking, you should report this to your local police or your local Children's Services.
If you are a social worker or someone who works with children in a professional capacity and are concerned that a child you know may be a victim of trafficking, you can also call the NSPCC Child Trafficking and Information Line on 0800 107 7057 for advice (between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday-Friday).