Alarming Rise in Child Re-Trafficking Cases in the UK Calls for Urgent Action

In a recent report, the children’s commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, raised critical concerns regarding the safety and support of child trafficking victims in the UK. Freedom of information data obtained by the anti-trafficking organization After Exploitation reveals that over 1,500 children who had previously escaped exploitation are now at risk of re-trafficking. This alarming statistic highlights a severe gap in the protective mechanisms intended to shield vulnerable children from further harm.

The findings show that from January 2023 to July 2024, 1,541 children—230 girls and 1,311 boys—were referred multiple times to the government’s national referral mechanism (NRM). The NRM aims to provide victims with safety, support, and resources to aid their recovery. Yet, for many children, entry into the NRM appears to be merely procedural, with little impact on their protection and well-being.

Experts like Patricia Durr, CEO of anti-trafficking organization Ecpat UK, believe the figures underscore a tragic trend: inadequate protections are leaving children open to exploitation even within systems meant to protect them. Durr reports that one in three trafficked children went missing from local authority care in 2020, raising their risk of falling back into trafficking networks. She argues that the system’s failure to offer sustained, meaningful support is why many children remain vulnerable to re-trafficking.

Furthermore, Durr reports that children under her organisation’s care often experience long delays for legal support and mental health services, essential tools for their recovery. Maya Esslemont, director of After Exploitation, reinforces the concern, noting that nearly half of those referred multiple times for trafficking support are children, underscoring the urgency of effective, child-centred responses.

The UK government has acknowledged the issue, with plans to introduce child criminal exploitation as a formal offense. But advocacy groups argue that more immediate measures are necessary. They call for a complete overhaul of the NRM to ensure that each child entering the system receives timely, comprehensive support to prevent re-exploitation. With thousands of young lives at stake, a failure to act now could have devastating consequences for the most vulnerable in our society.

The UK’s commitment to eradicating modern slavery must extend beyond mere procedural steps and address the real needs of these children, ensuring that their protection is a top priority.