Trafficking is moving people from one place to another in order to exploit them. It is sometimes called modern slavery.  Children are trafficked for sex, benefit fraud, forced marriage, forced labour on farms, in factories and even in people's homes. Sometimes this is about taking groups of young people to parties to abuse and exploit them and rewarding them with money, gifts and alcohol. Young people  can be forced into criminal activities such as begging, transporting drugs, and street theft.  You can read real life stories of children who have been trafficked on the NSPCC website.

There are organisations that specifically support children and young people that have been a victim of trafficking, like ECPAT UK.  You can call ECPAT Youth Programme on 020 7607 2136 or e-mail youth@ecpat.org.uk .

Criminal Exploitation

This is when someone forces or coerces you to take part in criminal activity such as stealing, wounding people, delivering or dealing drugs. You may feel like you have no option but to do as you are being told.  As well as talking to Slough Children First on 01753 875362, you can also contact SafeCall who provide a service for young people affected by criminal exploitation.

The service helps young victims and their families through crisis and trauma.

SafeCall provides confidential, anonymous support to victims of county lines exploitation and their families. The service helps people affected by exploitation get safe, stay safe and deal with the challenges they face. Their expert team is available from 9 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week to provide support via a free Helpline on 116000.