Trafficked Young People

Jenny J. Pearce is the Director of the Institute of Applied Social Research, and the International Centre for the Study of Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Young People, both at the University of Bedforshire, UK. Her research interests focus particularly on young people, sexual exploitation, child protection and domestic violence, and on accessing young people’s accounts of their experiences of child sexual exploitation.Patricia Hynes is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. Her research interests include the sociology of human rights and forced migration in all its forms, including trafficking, refugees and issues around asylum. She has conducted research internationally on internally displaced persons, refugees, trafficking and asylum policy. Silvie Bovarnick is a freelance researcher. She has previously worked for the NSPCC and the Department of Health on research programmes addressing different areas of violence and abuse. Her academic interests include the discursive construction of human rights and violence, specifically covering children's rights and women's rights. She has recently conducted research on child trafficking and child neglect.

• 1. The introductory context. 2. The UK policy context. 3. Research methodology and methods. 4. Trafficking as a process not a one off event. 5. Trafficking of children and young people is hidden behind a wall of silence. 6. Universal service providers. 7. Dedicated services. 8. Specific summary points from our research. 9. Gaps in future work and thoughts about what is needed next.

"This is an essential read for anyone working with trafficked young people. It couples extensive coverage of the key issues with heartrending accounts from young victims, showing the reality of their appalling experiences. This valuable and wide ranging resource covers everything from the relevant legislation to the effective use of interpreters and how to manage disclosures." Sue Berelowitz, Deputy Children’s Commissioner for England"This book provides insightful treatment of the complex challenges that face practitioners in identifying and responding to the devastating phenomenon of child trafficking. Whilst clearly located within the child protection framework, the authors find that effective intervention will be sensitive to young people's developing agency as they transition into adulthood. After careful exploration of how western constructs like 'childhood' and 'home' may act to obscure an individual's lived experience, they call for relationship based approaches to help young people overcome the true impact of human trafficking on their lives." Julie Harris, Assistant Director for Research & Evaluation, Barnardo's Strategy Unit "With a sensitive and evidence-based discussion, the authors prize open cracks in the walls of misunderstanding and suspicion which surround the issue of trafficking, shedding light on society’s current response and indicating how to develop better policy and practice". Susanne MacGregor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine