Abused children in the spotlight

Children’s charity Barnado’s is demanding that more should be done to combat organised child-trafficking as part of a crackdown launched today.

A hard-hitting report, entitled “Whose Child Now?” highlights the horrors of child trafficking for sexual exploitation across Britain.

It will raise awareness of the issues in an advert broadcast on national television on Friday, December 4.

And it wants to see more support for children and young people from schemes such as Operation Messenger, which was set up by Barnardo’s along with police, social and health workers, to tackle exploitation of young girls.

Messenger identifies children who are at potential risk from abuse and has led to charges or convictions for offences including inciting a child into prostitution, the gang rape of a schoolgirl and indecent exposure.

The charity released the story of an Oldham girl to show how Operation Messenger can help turn lives around.

In care since the age of eight, Emma was living in a residential home after several foster care placements had broken down.

She was assessed as being at extremely high-risk from abuse through sexual exploitation and agreed to work with the Messenger team despite initial reluctance.

Emma now understands she was being sexually exploited and has the confidence and self worth to start to change her behaviour.

Emma is one of 1,060 sexually-exploited children and young people who were supported by Barnardo’s through specialist services last year.

Mark Lee, Barnado’s North-West regional director, said: “I believe sexual exploitation is becoming more organised and the criminals who abuse are more sophisticated.

“There are networks of older men grooming and trafficking children within the UK. It’s a growing phenomenon and it’s extremely difficult to police.”