Trafficked children

Trafficking is the recruitment, transport and transfer of children, through abduction, deception or force, in order that others may gain from them financially. It is a hugely profitable industry that constitutes one of the gravest forms of child abuse in the world. Children may find themselves forced into prostitution, drug smuggling, domestic slavery, benefit fraud, early marriage, or exploitative labour. Many of these children come from West Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, often lured away by promises of jobs and with no idea what awaits them. It is extremely difficult for them to escape from their exploiters.

The parents may or may not be aware of the true purpose of travelling to another country and an exchange of money may or may not have occurred. Parents may genuinely believe that their child has gone to a better situation with greater opportunities, without any awareness of the risks involved. Even if parents have been paid for their child, as in cases where they are persuaded to give up their child for adoption, they are seldom aware of their rights or of the full implications of their decision to let their child go abroad.

There are also unaccompanied children who leave their countries of origin for economic reasons, often with parental approval. They seek opportunities to escape poverty, but find that they cannot cope alone in a new country, and so get drawn into the network of exploitation.

Currently there are few legal barriers to child trafficking, and there is an urgent need for the development of a global response to this problem, including international and national legislation, and structures for co-operation between authorities within and between countries.

The Role of CFAB

CFAB is often asked to trace and establish contact with the parents or other family members in the country of origin; to establish their views and understanding of the situation of the child; to assess their capacity to offer ongoing care and protection to the child. If appropriate, CFAB will help to reunite the child with the family, and ensure that they are given necessary support.

Crina A 16 year old girl, was trafficked from Romania through Italy to the UK. She was groomed to go abroad with the promise of getting married. Crina was initially taken to Italy and later to the UK being forced into prostitution in both countries. In the UK Crina managed to run away and was picked up by the police. The police referred her to children’s services and Crina was placed in foster care. She told children’s services that she wishes to return to her mother in Romania. Crina was able to provide an address for the mother, but did not have a phone number since the pimp had taken away Crina’s mobile with her mother’s number. The return was arranged with assistance from the Romanian ISS correspondent, who came to pick her up from the airport together with the mother. Now, Crina has been accommodated in a reception centre for victims of human trafficking in Romania and is attending an educational training.

Useful Links

Barnardos

DCSF - Safeguarding children who may have been trafficked

DCSF - Working together to safeguard children

The Poppy Project

Convention of the Council of Europe

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

Africans Unite Against Child Abuse

National Child Trafficking Advice and Information Line from NSPCC

End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children

Serious Organised Crime Organisation