Revealed: more support for trafficked children needed Trafficking is a terrible trade that deprives children of their childhood, removes them from their families and subjects them to experiences that no child should be exposed to. Whether trafficked to the UK to work in the sex trade, in cannabis factories or in domestic servitude (including working in restaurants and nail bars), this experience affects every aspect of their health and well being. They often face a long and difficult journey to be allowed to remain safe in the UK to start to rebuild their lives. The Refugee Council has just released the findings of the review, commissioned by the Home Office and delivered in partnership with the Children’s Society. We interviewed a number of trafficked children, local authorities and safeguarding boards. The study shows that, while some progress has been made in recent years, there’s much more to be done to provide adequate support to trafficked children. The complexity of the processes they have to go through, the lack of support and issues finding appropriate accommodation and accessing education all combine to make life even more difficult for children who have been through such traumatic experiences. One of our key recommendations was the appointment of an independent trusted adult to support every trafficked child, who would give a child the practical support they need as well as helping them understand their rights and ensuring that their voice is heard in decisions that affect them. Long delays in Home Office decisionmaking and recent changes to legal aid are making life even more difficult, but the Refugee Council is determined to be there to provide desperately needed support. We started our work with trafficked girls over 10 years ago. Recent referrals have come from countries including Vietnam, Nigeria 10
There is the danger of an assumption that . . . trafficked children . . . are not seen as children in the first instance Professional respondent
and Uganda. The traffickers of two girls in separate cases have recently been arrested and prosecutions are likely to follow. Last year, we also supported three girls to testify against their traffickers – a very difficult experience, but one that has not only helped them move forward, but also sends a message to traffickers that their actions will not go unpunished.
While this work is challenging, the progress of girls we have been working with inspires us to continue. Patience, who we started working with in 2009 has finally received her documents after waiting for nearly a year, and has secured a good job. And Constance, who had never been to school and was barely literate when she was trafficked here, has just received a raft of awards from the college she attends for both effort and attainment, and hopes to go on to study nursing.
My case was from one person to another so I didn’t really know who I’m going to talk to because I didn’t have anyone who really knew my case Josephine
The whole experience with social services looking after me, I didn’t really trust them at all Anne
Recent funding from Comic Relief means that we are also now able to work specifically with trafficked boys. Many of whom are brought from Vietnam to work in cannabis factories and who end up prosecuted for their involvement, despite the fact that they have been trafficked. A recent Court of Appeal ruling has clearly stated that victims of trafficking should not be
Long delays in Hom e Office decisionmaking and recent changes to legal aid are making life even more difficult, but the Refugee Council is determ ined to be there to provide desperately needed support criminalised for offences committed as a result of their trafficking, but this now needs to be implemented consistently. The risk of the boys returning to their traffickers in fear of what might happen to their families if they don’t, is high, so we are working closely with social services and foster carers to ensure that they remain safe. All this is testament to the support of Refugee Council staff and the incredible resilience shown by these remarkable young people.
u You can read the full report on our website at www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stillatrisk 11