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17 Jun 2009 16:12:46
Trafficked children are suffering from abuse as professionals struggle to identify them, according to a new report published today (Wednesday, 17 June) by the NSPCC and the University of Bedfordshire.
The study, ‘Breaking the wall of silence’, looked at 37 cases of trafficked children and spoke to 72 different children’s professionals in three areas of England to assess how they respond to the challenge of helping young victims of trafficking. It describes a “tangible level of confusion” among children’s services staff about a definition of trafficking and how to apply it to the young people in their care.
University of Bedfordshire Professor Jenny Pearce said: “Trafficking is not just about children from abroad being brought into this country.
“It can include British children and young people being trafficked within the UK. Some victims are sexually exploited but other forms of abuse may be involved.
“Children can be victim to an overlapping combination of abuse including criminal activity, domestic servitude, benefit fraud and forced labour, stealing or begging.
“There is no typical profile for a trafficked girl or boy, or young man or woman. Even how old they seem can be misleading - many trafficked children have grown old beyond their years after experiencing abuse and maltreatment. Keeping these variables in mind is so important for practitioners to help them identify victims.”
NSPCC senior researcher Dr Patricia Hynes, who is based at the NSPCC’s centre for action on child sexual abuse Fresh Start, said: “Trafficked children are hidden behind a wall of silence. There are children who are afraid to speak out or do not see themselves as trafficked or victims.
“Traffickers are extremely skilled at manipulating and coercing children into silence by threatening to harm them or their families, or reporting them for deportation.
“On the other side, practitioners often find it difficult to identify a trafficked child when they do not know what signs to look for.”
Dr Hynes continued: “The research shows that trafficking is a process, not a ‘one-off’ event. Trafficking can involve a complex mix of extreme and varied forms of abuse, which can take time to uncover fully. In some cases we examined, it took a year for a child to reveal enough about what had happened to them for the practitioner to realise this was a trafficked child.
“Child protection is more important than the immigration status of children trafficked from abroad. Many practitioners in our study felt that children trafficked from overseas did not receive the same access to services as children born in the UK. But all children are entitled to education, health and accommodation support, whatever their status.”
Professor Pearce said: “There are examples of good work out there, often in areas where a major port of entry means professionals have a lot of experience working with trafficked children. But there needs to be a consistent response, no matter where they are found.”
The study highlights the need for skilled, trained interpreters and specialist trained and supported foster carers who are aware of the potential health needs of trafficked children and of the manipulation and violence they may have suffered.
The report recommends that:
Another University of Bedfordshire professor, Jon Silverman, has written an article on this research for Society Guardian. You can view what Professor Silverman has to say at: www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jun/17/trafficking-child-protection
Latest news» 2009» June» Professor involved in study of trafficked children
