Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT UK) is undertaking research that explores the understanding and use of child trafficking and exploitation definitions amongst child protection actors in the UK, titled More than words: how definitions impact on the UK’s response to child trafficking. This piece of research is funded and supported by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery PEC) led by the University of Oxford.It is also supported by the Office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

As the understanding of child trafficking, exploitation and modern slavery evolves, there are many definitions or categories in law and policy that are misunderstood, unclear or overlapping. Evidence shows that the lack of consensus, among decision makers and practitioners, around definitions has long remained an impediment to coordination, collaboration, and coherence. This has an impact on the services that affected or at-risk children receive, particularly with regard to identification, reporting and the subsequent response by relevant agencies

The research project aims to better understand the complexities and nuances around the overlapping and sometimes unclear definitions in the field of modern slavery in the UK and how the definitions of child trafficking and various forms of child exploitation (in particular – criminal, sexual, labour and domestic servitude) impact the UK’s response to this type of crime and children themselves.


 
ECPAT UK is inviting professionals working in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to partake in the research by filling out an online survey which takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete and can be done anonymously – found HERE. Deadline: 31^st April 2025.


 
OTHER OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION INCLUDE:

• OTHER OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION INCLUDE:
• Semi-structured interview lasting 60-90 minutes that can take place over Microsoft Teams or in person at the ECPAT UK office located in north London (depending on your preference/base location). Deadline: 31^st April 2025.
• Workshop consultation lasting 3 hours

Please read the below Documents for more information

 Participation Information Sheet Professionals


 Participation Information Sheet Interviews 


Please contact Laura Duran ([email protected]) or Leah Davison ([email protected]) to express interest in participation or with any clarifying questions about the research aims, your requested process of participation, and/or the planned outputs.