Perth & Kinross Child Protection Committee

Transcription

1 Perth & Kinross Child Protection Committee

2 Child Trafficking Trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation. The trafficking protocol, otherwise known as the Palermo Protocol was signed by the United Kingdom on 14 December 2000 and ratified on 9 February It was the first international instrument to define and address the trafficking problem. Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, signed by UK - March 2007

3 What is the Difference? Smuggling Human immigrants and asylum seekers pay people to help them enter the country Trafficking Victims are coerced or deceived by the person arranging their relocation

4 Key Practice Issues Identification is the single biggest problem of child trafficking - a a culture of disbelief Children do not know they are trafficked Children are trained not to trust police or statutory authorities. Children may feel their life is better here than at home despite the exploitation

5 From what countries? China, Nigeria, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Romania, Albania, Kenya, India, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Guinea, Cameroon, Congo, DR Congo, Uganda, Moldova, Burundi, South Africa, Sudan, USA, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Lithuania, Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Iran, Japan, Mali, Mongolia, Palestine, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ukraine, Venezuela, Angola, Czech Republic, France, The Netherlands, Algeria, Australia, Belarus, Chad, Egypt, Estonia, Hungary, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UK (69 countries so far!!) NB - In order of numbers trafficked

6 CEOP Scoping Study 2007 Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre Increased risk groups: Chinese children Western and Eastern African girls Afghan Boys Vietnamese boys and girls Eastern European girls CEOP identified up to 325 possible victims of child trafficking across the UK between March 2007 and February N.B. - Half were found to be working as prostitutes.

7 Facts & Figures Male 42% Unknown 2% Female 56%

8 Facts & Figures 1% years old 29% - 17 years old 4% were 12 years old and under 35% - 16 years old 21% -15 years old 7% - 14 years old 3% - 13 years old

9 Child Trafficking Ports of entry to UK Major Airports Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham & Glasgow Sea Ports Ireland Stranraer Regional Airports Manchester, Prestwick, Belfast & East Midlands All areas of UK affected (Includes internal trafficking) Eurostar Cross country Lorries ( West Midlands) -Vietnam -Afghanistan

10 CHILD TRAFFICKING Courtesy of UNICEF

11 Scottish Government Most children are trafficked for financial gain. This can include payment from or to the child s parents. In most cases the trafficker also receives payment from those wanting to exploit the child once in the UK. Some trafficking is carried out by organised gangs. In other cases, individual adults or agents traffic children to the UK for their own personal gain

12 Reasons Sexual exploitation Forced labour Criminal activity Domestic servitude Cannabis factories Illegal adoptions Benefit fraud Once rescued a significant number of trafficked children disappear without trace within 48 hours ( over 57%)

13 The impact of trafficking Physical PhysicaAbuse abuse - beatings, being subdued with drugs, alcohol and drug addiction Emotional abuse Abuse - disoriented, language barriers, new identity, emotional distress Sexual abuse Abuse - often reason for trafficking, risk of infection HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, damage to health Neglect - no routine or emergency medical care, food and sensory deprivation

14 Why is trafficking possible? Poverty Lack of education Discrimination Cultural Attitudes Grooming Families with complex problems Political conflict Inadequate laws and regulations

15 Indicators include... Child has entered the country illegally Has no passport or other means of identification Possesses money and goods not accounted for Is malnourished Is unable to confirm name and address of person meeting them on arrival Is accompanied by an adult who insists on staying with the child at all times Has prepared a story very similar to what other children have given Does not appear to have money but has a mobile phone.

16 Roles & Responsibilities Information Sharing Education & Children Services Police Health Children s Reporter Housing Voluntary & Community Organisation It's Everyone's Job - including the public!

17 Here to help Child Protection Committee Education & Children s Services Health Services Children s Reporter (SCRA) Police Housing Voluntary Organisations UKHTC -UK Human Trafficking Centre CEOP - Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre NSPCC -Child Trafficking Advice Line UKBA - UK Border Agency