ECPAT UK asserts their research showed that social services are under resourced and lack specific information on child trafficking, that there was lack of knowledge among social workers about child trafficking, identification of victim and their specific needs. ECPAT recommended that a guidance and practice manual be issued, and cited the need for safe accommodation, training, improved communication and reporting of cases to the Department for Education and Skills. Funding is needed to provide support and assistance to victims of trafficking., – provide a six month permit to stay to allow for the needs and best interests of the child to be fully assessed and supported. Since the launch of ECPAT UK’s campaign in 2001, over 6500 ‘End Child Trafficking’ postcards have been distributed. We’d like to thank our supporters for sending postcards to their MPs. Thanks to your help, and the collaboration of other organisations, the UK now has legislation against the trafficking of people for sexual exploitation. This came into force in May 2004, in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and makes trafficking into, within and out of the UK for a relevant sexual offence a criminal act. Additionally, the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will make trafficking for other forms of exploitation a criminal offence. In all cases, the sentence is a maximum of 14 years. Whilst there has been much progress in the area of legislation and policy changes, very little progress has been made in relation to our second campaign point: – provide funding for support and assistance to victims of trafficking.” – Publisher’s description
