It’s time for the Government to extend the roll out of independent child trafficking advocates across the whole of England and Wales, a new report published this week has said.

The third interim report by the Modern Slavery Act Independent Review panel also said cases of children going missing should be kept open until the child is found and the scheme should also be extended to young people should be able to continue receiving support from the service beyond their 18^th birthday, up to 21 or 25 years old, depending on specific circumstances.

The panel was set up in July 2018, when the Government commissioned an independent review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This latest interim report is the third out of four. The final report is due to be published in the next few weeks.

Child Trafficking Advocates

CARE pressed strongly for provision to be made in the Modern Slavery Act for the creation of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTA's), who would advocate on behalf of children and make sure their voices are heard and taken into account. The importance of this role is obvious when you think that child victims of modern slavery are among the most vulnerable.

Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act makes statutory provision for ICTA’s and a trial was commenced in several local English authorities from 2014-2015. Then, in June 2016, the Government announced it would commence section 48 and commit to a full national roll-out of the service across England and Wales.

Now, three years on, neither has yet happened. According to the report, three English sites have been running the scheme since January 2017: Greater Manchester, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight. The scheme has also been running across the whole of Wales.

Real benefits for children

Child trafficking advocates will make a real difference for trafficked children. Not only do they provide specialist support, clarity and continuity for the child, but they also provide an extra layer of safeguarding, helping to prevent them from going missing.

The panel took evidence from different stakeholders and according to the report: “all evidence points to the recommending that section 48 should be commenced and the full roll out of the ICTA service across England and Wales should take place as soon as possible, with the service operating in accordance with the methods and principles we have recommended in this report.”

In particular, the report highlights three key advantages of child trafficking advocates:

1. It is a service independent from all other public authorities

2. It provides a trafficked child with a companion, giving them extra security and help

3. It is an expert resource for other public authorities

Time for action

Four years on from the passing of the Modern Slavery Act, it’s time the Government got on with making sure the whole of England and Wales is covered by child trafficking advocates.

CARE’s Senior Policy Officer – Human Trafficking, Louise Gleich said: “Delays to rolling out the scheme are unnecessary. All the trials have demonstrated the importance of child trafficking advocates and the invaluable support they provide.”

More support for victims

Improving support for child trafficking victims is not the only area where improvements are needed to make sure the law works as effectively as possible.

Last week a coalition of anti-slavery organisations petitioned the Home Office and No 10 Downing Street to guarantee victims of modern slavery more support.

CARE is backing the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill which would give victims of modern slavery a period of 12 months, guaranteed support once their victim status was confirmed. At the moment, victims receive only 45 days. The Bill is currently waiting for a second reading in the House of Commons, but needs Government backing if it is to become law.

Write to your MP to ask them to attend crucial debate next week

Next week on Wednesday 27 March, there will be a Westminster Hall debate led by Iain Duncan Smith MP on the need to provide better support for victims. It is vital MPs turn up, so a strong message is sent to the Government. Would you consider contacting your MP about attending the debate? You can do so in just a few minutes via the Free for Good website.