What is Child Trafficking?

Child trafficking is the term given to the movement of children into and within the country with the intent to exploit them.  A child is defined as any person under 18.  Some of the ways in which such exploitation can take place are:

• Sexual exploitation/prostitution
• Forced domestic work
• Sweatshop and restaurant work
• Drug dealing
• Credit card fraud
• Benefit fraud
• Drug mules or decoys for adult drug traffickers
• Forced marriage
• Ritual killings

It is very difficult to know if a child has been trafficked, as there are many different ways it may happen.  Many children who are trafficked are brought into the UK from other countries, both legally and illegally.  There are also children who are UK citizens who are trafficked within the country. 

The child may not realise that they have been trafficked.  They may be too scared to tell anyone for fear of their traffickers, or they may think they will not be believed by adults in authority.

Here are some stories of children who have been trafficked.