Government announces £40m to tackle child trafficking

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has announced a £40 million package of government measures to protect children and young people from sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and to crack down on offenders.

According to a statement from the Home Office, it includes: the launch of a new Centre of Expertise on child sexual abuse; an extra £20 million for the National Crime Agency to tackle online child sexual exploitation; £2.2 million for organisations working to protect children at risk of trafficking; and the launch of

Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTAs) in three early-adopter sites across the UK.

Amber Rudd announced the measures after visiting Safer Futures in Salford, Greater Manchester, a counselling centre, run by children’s charity Barnardo’s, for victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Writing for Mumsnet, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Children should be able to grow up free from the horrors of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking. Something that should go without saying, but sadly that’s not the case.

“This government has done more than any other to tackle these horrific offences. We have increased support for victims of sexual abuse, invested in training and technology to improve law enforcement’s response to abuse both on and offline, and brought in a tougher inspection regime to ensure all front-line professions are meeting their child protection duties.

“But there is more to do, the measures I am announcing today will further improve our ability to protect children, and under my watch I am determined to bring those that would try to steal their childhood to justice.”

Javed Khan, chief executive of Barnardo’s, welcomed the investment: “Through the Centre of Expertise we will develop a deeper understanding of this abuse so that more children can be protected and helped to recover. We will use our collective experience and expertise to develop a greater understanding of what works in the fight against child sexual abuse and to improve responses.

“And thanks to the roll-out of the independent child trafficking advocates, trafficked children in Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Wales will no longer have to navigate their way alone through complicated statutory systems including health, social care, education and criminal justice, to get the support they need.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, commented: "The measures announced today will make sure that we have the best evidence we can about preventing, tackling and helping victims to recover from child sexual abuse and exploitation, and much-needed investment in services will help partners work together to keep more children safe.

"However, it is important the government recognises the wider funding pressures facing social workers and others trying to deliver services for vulnerable children, with councils facing a £1.9 billion funding gap in children's services by 2020. While funding individual programmes of work is positive, a coordinated long-term strategy and funding to protect all children is vital."