Trafficked, smuggled or exploited: ignore the labels, they all involve abuse.

This chapter reports on research in relation to child trafficking; specifically, from the viewpoint of the professionals located within the various organisations whose remit includes efforts to either counter child trafficking or coping with its aftermath. These organisations are structured in a way that reflects national legislative frameworks and in the UK, these tend to be predicated on the assumption that trafficking is organised, large scale and international in nature.
The presumption of an 'international dimension' is important as it implies that those 'being trafficked' might very well be brought into the UK from elsewhere by criminal organised gangs. Our research reveals a different scenario in which trafficking and abuse of children is not recognised because it presents in ways that are different.