Trafficking

Human trafficking is “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”

The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

Trafficked children experience multiple forms of abuse and neglect.

Child trafficking differs from that of adults in that a child cannot give informed consent to his or her own exploitation, regardless of whether he or she seemingly agrees to travel or genuinely understands the situation. The elements of coercion or deception (means), do not need to be present to prove an offence although, in reality coercion and deception, etc., are likely to have been used to groom child victims.

The link below takes you to the Home Office guidance in relation to victims of modern slavery.

Many of the signs are similar to those we see in relation to any abusive situation, however some specific considerations are in relation to children who:

• are not registered with a school or a GP practice​;
• do not have any documents (or have falsified documents);
• stay out overnight with no explanation;
• are seen getting into unknown cars or taxis;
• experience a breakdown of residential placements due to their behaviour;
• have money or goods including mobile phones, drugs and alcohol that they cannot account for;
• experience multiple sexually transmitted infections, miscarriages or terminations;
• are self-harming;
• misuse substances;
• are involved in criminal activity;
• spend a lot of time doing household chores, rarely leave their house, have no time for playing.

Many children are trafficked ‘in plain sight’ – e.g., perpetrators of sexual/criminal exploitation have been known to pick children up from their education settings during lunch break, returning them just before afternoon registration – yet still remain invisible in terms of help and support. Some children are hidden, never seen outside their home or workplace. Protecting them and promoting their welfare depends upon the awareness and co-operation of education settings, community groups and members of the public. Safeguarding trafficked children is very much everyone’s business and requires a community response, particularly in high-risk areas.

Create an environment based on equality and informed choice – help young people think about the issues and attitudes behind trafficking and modern slavery.

• Be aware of the signs and effects.
• Support pupils and families.
• Sign-post to supportive services.
• Any concerns should be raised with your designated safeguarding lead.

Ensure young people know the risks – talk about poverty at an age-appropriate level and have a safety plan to get help.

Check young people have safe relationships – in their family, with their peers and with your staff. Create the environment where it’s okay to talk even about the most difficult things.

Spot the signs and know what to do – use the checklists above, your safeguarding procedures and be confident in raising trafficking and modern slavery as a possibility. Refer to children’s services or the police as a ‘first responder’ and ensure they follow the National Referral Mechanism to assess next steps.

Take action – and keep taking action until you know children and young people are safe.