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Modern Slavery & Child Trafficking

What is Modern Slavery & Child Trafficking?

Modern Slavery and Child Trafficking are types of child abuse. Many children and young people are trafficked into the UK from other countries. Child Trafficking also takes place when a child is taken from one area in the country to another. This is a common feature with Organised Crime Groups exploiting children to carry out crimes such as drug dealing as part of County Lines.

Modern Slavery Toolkit

Trafficking as an approach to exploit

Trafficking is where a child is tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited, forced into sexual abuse, commit crime, work or sold. Children are trafficked for:

sexual and criminal exploitation
benefit fraud
forced marriage
domestic slavery like cleaning, cooking and childcare
forced labour in factories or agriculture
committing crimes, like begging, theft, working on cannabis farms or moving drugs.

In 2019, BBC London produced a short clip to raise awareness of the links between Child Trafficking and County Lines:

Types of Child Trafficking

Traffickers, as with sexual and criminal exploitation, will often groom children, families and communities to gain their trust. They may also threaten families with violence or threats.

Trafficking is also an economic crime. Traffickers may ask families for money for providing documents or transport and they’ll make a profit from money a child “earns” through exploitation, forced labour or crime. They’ll often be told this money is to pay off a debt they or their family “owe” to the traffickers

Traffickers may:
– work alone or in small groups, recruiting a small number of children, often from areas they know and live in.
– be medium-sized groups who recruit, move and exploit children and young people on a small scale.
– be large criminal networks that operate internationally with high-level corruption, money laundering and a large number of victims.

Spotting the Signs of Child Trafficking

It may not be obvious that a child has been trafficked but you might notice unusual or unexpected things, such as:
– spend a lot of time doing household chores
– rarely leave their house or have no time for playing
– be orphaned or living apart from their family
– live in low-standard accommodation
– be unsure which country, city or town they’re in
– can’t or are reluctant to share personal information or where they live
– not be registered with a school or a GP practice
– have no access to their parents or guardians
– be seen in inappropriate places like brothels or factories
– have money or things you wouldn’t expect them to
– have injuries from workplace accidents
– give a prepared story which is very similar to stories given by other children

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM)

For further information on the NRM view the NRM Guidance.

If you are a first responder for Modern Slavery to submit an NRM view the Online Reporting Form.

You can still report modern slavery if you’re not a first responder. Call the modern slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700 or report it online.

York Anti-Trafficking Society (YATS) Podcast Series

York Anti-Trafficking (YATS) as part of Modern Slavery Week in 2019 produced a short podcast series to raise awareness of Modern Slavery in York and surrounding areas including North Yorkshire. To listen to the clips click on the images below:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Where to go for further information and support?

Modern Slavery Helpline (MSH) and Resource Centre provide a means for victims, the public, statutory agencies and businesses to report concerns and get help and advice. MSH is fully independent and free to call on 08000 121 700, submit reports online or spot the signs of modern slavery and report concerns using the free Unseen App.