UK No more disbelief, child trafficking is a reality in Wales too

14 Mar 2009 |

A study launched today by Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, shows that child trafficking is a reality in Wales. According to the study which was conducted by ECPAT UK, 32 of confirmed or suspected child trafficking cases were uncovered in the country. These cases involve children aged three and a half years and upwards, described as victims of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, cannabis production, street crime and forced labour. They come from a variety of countries of origin. Interestingly, there are more identified cases of boys than girls, which, according to the ‘WalesOnline’, is the first time for a study on child trafficking in the UK.

ECPAT UK press release < /p>

“The sample we’ve got here is small but is undoubtedly only the tip of the iceberg”, said Keith Towler. However, it is a fist step. He explained that for child trafficking to be tackled effectively there first has to be an acceptance that it exists. According to Christine Beddoe, who led the study, there was indeed evidence of a number of barriers to identifying children and keeping them safe. “Of these barriers the most worrying was that professionals didn’t believe it could happen. This left children vulnerable”. Now that the reality of child trafficking has been higlighted, the Children’s Commisionner for Walese hope this research will help shift the culture of disbelief. He also expects practitioners to start working together in order to safeguarde all children in Wales, whatever their country of origin is.

Related press coverage
The shocking facts about child trafficking in Wales , WalesOnline, 18 March 2009
Study finds more boys than girl trafficked for the first time, WalesOnline, 18 March 2009
Child trafficking a horror we must face up to , WalesOnline, 18 March 2009
Report uncovers child trafficking , BBC News, 18 March 2009