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Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking) have launched eight targeted policy briefings at an event in the House of Lords 

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

Over the past three years, Sheffield Hallam’s Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice has partnered with ECPAT UK to carry out participatory research about the human trafficking of young people, their experiences with services and support, and their hopes for the future.

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, key findings from this research have now been compiled into eight targeted policy briefings and launched at a Parliamentary event hosted by Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC.

At the event, attendees heard from young people who participated in the research about their experiences and expertise and the urgent work still needed to ensure young people can live fulfilling lives.

Professor Patricia Hynes, from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ’s Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, said: “The views of children and young people are often missing from research into human trafficking and a focus on outcomes beyond legalistic categories is also absent. Working alongside young people and in partnership with ECPAT UK has been a real pleasure.

“For the past three years we have conducted research, met more than 220 frontline practitioners across England and the devolved nations and created both a Positive Outcomes Framework and the prototype of a Practice Tool based directly on the views of young people with lived experience of trafficking. These rights-centred and child-friendly tools can be a touchstone for those working with children and young people.”

The briefings call on policymakers to ensure that child victims of trafficking are always treated as children first and that all decisions about children are made with their best interests as the primary consideration.

Separate briefings are available for the Home Office, the devolved governments, the Department for Education, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, the Ministry of Justice and Ofsted.

They provide policymakers with the Creating Stable Futures Positive Outcomes Framework (CSF-POF), developed with young people, for supporting children and young people in a way that protects and promotes their rights.

The framework aims to ensure children achieve positive, sustainable outcomes in various aspects of their lives including safety, health, education, and emotional wellbeing.

Patricia Durr, Chief Executive Officer at ECPAT UK, said: “Children who have been exploited deserve to be protected, supported, and empowered to build stable, hopeful futures. These policy briefings are a crucial step towards ensuring that child victims of trafficking can achieve all of their ambitions. By listening to young people and those who work with them, we can create a system that truly upholds their rights and provides them with the safety, stability, and the opportunities they need to thrive.

“What makes this work unique is that, for the first time, we have a set of outcomes defined by young people themselves. This research has been shaped by their lived experiences, expertise, and voices — a participatory approach that must now inform how we design policy and practice to protect and empower trafficked children.”

The Parliamentary event was attended by Professor Liz Mossop - Vice-Chancellor of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, MPs, Peers, representatives from the Modern Slavery Unit at the Home Office, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Office, the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre, Barnardo’s, Aberlour Scottish Guardianship service, BACA and other third sector organisations.