Crime Reduction Toolkits

Trafficking of People

Special issues relating to child victims

All child care agencies – social services, health, education and the police - and ACPCs need to consider what would provide the best protection for children in the specific cases presented. This should include plans for their immediate and their longer term needs. 

They must be placed in a trusting and safe environment, with carers who understand their needs, including an understanding of their cultural background and any associated issues, and preferably with those who speak the same languages. Whilst they must be given protection, they must not be made to feel that they are being locked up, as this for some, may be worse that being outside and with their trafficker. 

Social services can provide protection to children by carrying out good monitoring to ensure that they are well, safe and happy. The children need to feel safe and secure in the environment where they are being cared for, if they are going to stay.  

Specialist counselling will be required, to address the trafficking issue, and specialist and sensitive health care is important. 

For many, the debt they owe is the main reason they must leave, so understanding of this issue is vital, as is accepting that they may be terrified of ritual curses. In the case of Eastern European children, the level of violence they are likely to have suffered is high, as control is often exerted through repeated raping and beatings. 

Should children wish to return home, efforts must be made to ensure appropriate reception arrangements in their country of origin. However, children may be reluctant to return, and in some cases may have been sold by their families. The safety of the child is paramount and if it is deemed that the child would be in danger were they to return, then exceptional leave will be granted either for 4 years or until they reach the age of 18. Children will only be returned to their country of origin if appropriate arrangements can be made for their safe return. It is important that efforts are made to reassure the child on this matter. 

The decision on where to accommodate the child will depend on an assessment of need, and of the skills and training of available carers. No young person aged under 18 should be placed in unassisted accommodation, such as bed and breakfast, and they should be provided with an initial period of 24 hour care, and monitoring of their health and welfare needs. 

Local protocols should be established between social services, the police and the immigration service on how to best to work with children thought to be at risk of being trafficked.