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RCGP Safeguarding toolkit

Part 2A: Identification of abuse and neglect

Child trafficking and modern slavery

Child trafficking is child abuse and is a form of modern slavery. It’s defined as recruiting, moving, receiving and harbouring children for the purpose of exploitation. Many children are trafficked into the UK from overseas, but children can also be trafficked from one part of the UK to another. Children make up almost a third of all human trafficking victims worldwide. Refugee, migrant and displaced children are especially vulnerable to trafficking. Whether they are escaping war and violence or in search of opportunities, many children lack pathways to move regularly and safely. Children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking if they come from an area where there is poverty, war, low education levels, discrimination or persecution, political conflict and economic uncertainty.

Children are trafficked for:
  • child sexual exploitation
  • criminal activity, including:
    • cannabis cultivation
    • street crime - such as pickpocketing, begging and bag theft
    • moving drugs
    • benefit fraud
    • immigration fraud
    • selling pirated goods, such as DVDs
  • forced marriage
  • domestic servitude, including:
    • cleaning
    • childcare
    • cooking
  • forced labour, including working in:
    • restaurants
    • nail bars
    • factories
    • agriculture
  • illegal adoption
  • unreported private fostering arrangements (for any exploitative purpose).

This list is not exhaustive and children who are trafficked are often exploited in more than one way. Being trafficked is abuse in itself but children who are trafficked may experience multiple other forms of abuse such as sexual abuse and exploitation, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. Child trafficking can have a devastating and lasting impact on its victims.

Signs of child trafficking

They might:

  • 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.
Impact of child trafficking
  • Poor health and illness, which may be left untreated.
  • Limited or no access to education.
  • Physical and mental exhaustion.
  • Emotional challenges which can lead to:
    • feeling isolated and lonely
    • disturbed sleep patterns
    • depression and/or anxiety
    • headaches
    • panic attacks
    • eating difficulties
    • self-harm and suicidal thoughts
    • drug and alcohol use as a means to escape from problems
    • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Child trafficking requires a child protection response and usual safeguarding procedures should be followed.

References