War in Ukraine raises child trafficking fears

Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT UK) fears that the displacement of millions of people from Ukraine could heighten the number of children in Europe at risk of trafficking.

It is estimated that seven million Ukrainians will be displaced within the country with a further four million forced to become refugees elsewhere.

• Ukraine: Resources for youth workers to help children understand crisis

• Feature: Denying refugee children protection

“Many of these people will be children, and all will be at greater risk for trafficking, exploitation and abuse as a direct result of displacement caused by the conflict,” said ECPAT UK

The warning comes after the Home Office last week revealed that more children than ever were identified as potential victims of modern slavery last year. Official figures show that 5,468 children were potential victims, a 10 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure of 4,946.

ECPAT UK is calling on the government to amend its Nationality and Borders Bill, which it says will make it harder for people to seek refuge in the UK and will reduce protection for children.

“Last week we learned that more potential child victims of modern slavery than ever before were identified last year in the UK, and that millions of Ukrainian children will likely be displaced and made vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation as a result of Russia’s invasion,” said ECPAT UK chief executive Patricia Durr.

“Now is not the time to deny more people sanctuary and reduce identification and protection for victims of modern slavery, as proposed in the Nationality and Borders Bill.

“Child victims should be safeguarded and protected first and foremost, and all that we do must be in their best interests.”

This week peers backed a raft of amendments to the Bill, including ensuring age assessments for child migrants are based on international law, child victims of trauma and abuse will not be penalised based on their immigration status, and that children will be protected if they have committed crimes because of being exploited.

Peers also backed amendments to ensure all confirmed victims of modern slavery are able to stay in the UK and that the interests of children are paramount in decisions made about them.

Important wins last night for #ChildRights as @UKHouseofLords pushed back on @ukhomeoffice's #NationalityandBordersBill with 5 major changes at report stage. All the key detail & further links here > https://t.co/cq9rsULA1b pic.twitter.com/tZT5ftA6mz

— Every Child Protected Against Trafficking 🧡 (@ECPATUK) March 9, 2022

Durr called on the government to ensure changes made by peers are passed when the legislation is next considered by MPs.

“These changes to the Nationality and Borders Bill plant important flags in the sand for child rights," she said.

“They demonstrate how concerned the House of Lords is about the government’s proposals and show that they won’t accept laws that put children in harm’s way. Now we need MPs to uphold these changes, or risk passing a Bill that makes children even more vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and abuse.”