PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
GUARDIANSHIP FOR CHILD VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING (14 July 2010)

That this House believes that child victims of trafficking are some of the most vulnerable children in the UK; notes that while there exists a range of guidance to ensure a higher level of support and protection for child victims of trafficking, there remain substantial gaps in this system of support and these vulnerable children are not able to rely on one responsible adult with parental responsibility to care and support them and take decisions based on their best interests; believes that a system of guardianship would provide child victims of trafficking with someone to prevent them from facing further exploitation, reduce the risk of them going missing and ensure they receive the educational, medical, practical and legal support they need to help rebuild their lives; further notes that a system of guardianship is a requirement of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and is a key recommendation of the UK anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group, made up of nine leading charities, including ECPAT UK and UNICEF UK; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce a system of guardianship for child victims of trafficking.

Sponsored by:
Mr Peter Bone (Independent)