Every year, 30 July marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and is a chance to raise awareness and reflect on the harms caused by child trafficking*.
In our WiSE service, we recognise that Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of trafficking. When a child is moved, coerced, or manipulated for the purpose of sexual abuse, whether across borders, towns, or even just between houses, this is trafficking under UK and international law. Yet it is often is not recognised as such.
Instead of identifying children as victims of trafficking, they may be labelled as “making poor choices,” “promiscuous,” or even “offenders” themselves. This lack of recognition not only fails to protect them, but it can also lead to:
- Children being criminalised instead of protected.
- Perpetrators evading trafficking charges, facing lesser consequences and/or shorter sentences.
- Data being skewed, making the scale of the problem harder to track and tackle.
We need to challenge these misconceptions, which includes recognising that trafficking is happening in our towns and cities in Sussex and Surrey. We need to talk about trafficking not just as something that happens “elsewhere,” but as something that affects children in our own communities.
Knowing the signs of child trafficking and modern slavery can help give a voice to children. A child might not be aware that they are being trafficked and therefore may not disclose it themselves. Any child can be a victim, and identifying a child who is being trafficked or exploited is often difficult as they may become isolated from family, services and communities who could identify and protect them. We are supporting:
- Professionals to use accurate terminology and frameworks when identifying and responding to CSE
- Parents, carers, and community members to be alert to the signs of exploitation and understanding that trafficking can occur locally, not just across borders.
- Those working directly with young people to create safe spaces for disclosure. Believe them. Advocate for them. Help them understand that what’s happening to them is not their fault and that help is available.
- Young people to be aware of their rights and supported to understand that exploitation is never their fault.
On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons this year, we are reminded that accurate identification and appropriate safeguarding responses are essential in supporting young people, and hope that by raising awareness of these issues we can make a positive difference.
*Child trafficking is defined by the UN as the ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt’ of a child for the purpose of exploitation.
