Anti-trafficking charity CARE is calling on the Government to introduce a full-scale roll-out of independent child trafficking advocates.

The Chief Executive of the charity, Nola Leach added her signature to a letter printed in today’s Guardian.

Key figures from a range of other anti-trafficking charities, including Barnardos, ECPAT UK, Hope for Justice and Unicef UK also signed the letter.

The Modern Slavery Act, passed by MPs last year, contains a section which would introduce advocates for child trafficking victims but more than a year after the legislation was passed, the Government have failed to introduce the child advocate scheme for England and Wales.

This is despite positive trials of independent, specialist child trafficking advocates which were concluded last year. A report on the trials said "advocates added value to existing provision, to the satisfaction of the children and most stakeholders".

In the letter, campaigners call this further delay ‘unacceptable’ and point out the trials were positive about the role independent child trafficking advocates can play in supporting child victims.

The letter also highlights international evidence that suggests child victims of trafficking benefit from having an advocate who can help children understand complex processes and engage on the child’s behalf with the relevant authorities.

A cross-party group of more than 50 MPs have also signed a House of Commons motion calling for the Government to build on the trials and implement the child advocate scheme.

Read the letter here.

For more on CARE’s ongoing work to support victims of child trafficking and to tackle the issue of modern slavery see here.

When the Modern Slavery Act was passed, CARE welcomed the provision of child trafficking advocates included in the legislation.