Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Trafficking in Children

Trafficking in people involves a collection of crimes, spanning a variety of countries and involving an increasing number of victims - resulting in considerable suffering for those trafficked. It includes the exploitation of children through force, coercion, threat and the use of deception and human rights abuses such as debt bondage, deprivation of liberty and lack of control over one's labour. It includes the movement of people across borders and also the movement and exploitation within borders and between neighbouring towns and / or other parts of the United Kingdom.

The persons who are trafficked have very little choice in what happens to them and usually suffer abuse due to the threats and use of violence against them and/or their family.

Children are trafficked for various reasons, including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, labour, benefit fraud and involvement in criminal activity such as pick pocketing, theft and working in cannabis farms. There are a number of cases, too, of minors being exploited in the sex industry. Although there is no evidence of other forms of exploitation such as 'organ donation' or 'harvesting' all agencies should remain vigilant.

If any suspicions are raised that a child or young person is being trafficked, or at risk of this, immediate action to safeguard the child or young person is required. This includes urgent liaison with the Police. Planning of the investigations should be within a Strategy Meeting, for the immediate protection of the child or young person and to address possible crimes having been committed.

Any child or young person from abroad who goes missing should be reported to the Police and Immigration Department immediately. Inter-agency procedures in respect of missing children/young people are to be applied. 

The DCSF and the Home Office published joint guidance on Safeguarding children who may have been trafficked in December 2007. It sets out a comprehensive strategy to improve the identification and safeguarding of child victims of trafficking. DCSF guidance on sexual exploitation and young runways includes details of how services must work to protect children from trafficking.

Further information and guidance documents relating to trafficking in children can be found below.