Finding out more about child trafficking
Child Trafficking is a form of abuse, it is becoming more widely heard about. It is where children are recruited, moved or transported and then exploited, they are forced to work or be sold. Children and families are groomed by people, this is a way of gaining their trust. Children will be subject to a multiple of types of abuse, they will be sexually abused, neglected, physically and emotionally abused.
Children are often trafficked into the UK from other countries, however, people should not forget that children can be taken from parts of the UK and sent abroad. It is professionals responsibility to look for signs of symptoms and follow the necessary procedure.
Children are often trafficked for several reasons such as;
- Carrying out domestic chores
- Forced marriage
- pickpocketing, begging, transporting drugs, working on farms that grow cannabis, bag theft
- Forced labour in factories or agriculture
- Child sexual exploitation
Child trafficking is a crime and is a form of abuse. According to an article in the Independent in April 2017, the “Child trafficking in UK hits record high” There has been a 30 per cent rise in the number of UK referrals.
Having read this it is important that all professionals look out for signs and symptoms as well as noticing a change in children’s behaviour, Children may;
- Show a tendency to carrying out domestic household chores
- Have no contact with family
- Have no documentation of who they are or has false documents
- Live apart from the family, lives in an orphan or unregistered private foster home
- Have injuries that may been caused by working conditions eg in a factory
- Are in seen in places where children shouldn’t be seen eg brothels
If you notice any of this signs and symptoms then follow your safeguarding procedures if children are in immediate danger then call 999. Children can also contact Childline where they can talk to someone about this.