Child trafficking – the hidden crime

Child trafficking is an issue that continues to plague the United Kingdom. It refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of children under the age of 18 for the purpose of exploitation.

The exploitation can be for labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of abuse. The UK government and law enforcement agencies have been working together to combat this issue and protect vulnerable children.

According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), there were 2,760 potential child trafficking victims identified in the UK in 2020, an increase of 22% from the previous year. The actual number of victims is believed to be much higher, as many cases go unreported or undetected. The majority of the victims identified were female and were trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.

The UK government has taken a number of measures to tackle child trafficking. The Modern Slavery Act of 2015 was introduced to strengthen the response to modern slavery and human trafficking, including child trafficking. The Act provides law enforcement agencies with greater powers to investigate and prosecute those involved in trafficking and exploitation.

The government has also established the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, who is responsible for driving improvements in the prevention, detection, and prosecution of modern slavery offences, including child trafficking. The commissioner works closely with law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the issue and improve the response to child trafficking.

Law enforcement agencies in the UK are also taking steps to tackle child trafficking. The NCA leads the UK’s response to modern slavery and works closely with local police forces to identify and disrupt trafficking networks. The NCA also works with international partners to track and disrupt transnational trafficking networks.

In addition, the UK police have established specialist units to deal with child trafficking. The National County Lines Coordination Centre was set up to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable children by gangs involved in the drug trade. The centre works with local police forces to identify and disrupt county lines networks and safeguard vulnerable children.

The UK government and law enforcement agencies are also working to improve support for victims of child trafficking. The government has established the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which provides support and assistance to potential victims of trafficking. The NRM identifies potential victims, assesses their needs, and provides them with appropriate support, such as accommodation, medical care, and legal advice.

Despite these efforts, child trafficking remains a serious issue in the UK. The government and law enforcement agencies need to continue to work together to improve detection and prevention efforts, as well as to provide effective support to victims. It is also important for the public to be aware of the signs of child trafficking and to report any concerns to the authorities. By working together, we can help to protect vulnerable children and prevent them from being exploited and abused.