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The government must improve support for children who are trafficked into the UK, where care is only available on an ad hoc basis, the charity Unicef says.The government must improve support for children who are trafficked into the UK, where care is only available on an ad hoc basis, the charity Unicef says.
Each year 1.2m children are trafficked globally for exploitation in the sex industry, as servants or in sweatshops.Each year 1.2m children are trafficked globally for exploitation in the sex industry, as servants or in sweatshops.
Unicef is calling for victims to be given renewable residence permits so they can remain in the UK to recover.Unicef is calling for victims to be given renewable residence permits so they can remain in the UK to recover.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the government was "committed" to helping to protect vulnerable children.Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the government was "committed" to helping to protect vulnerable children.
The government said earlier this year that 330 child victims of trafficking had been identified over an 18-month period.The government said earlier this year that 330 child victims of trafficking had been identified over an 18-month period.
We will work with all agencies and colleagues in this field to make sure more progress is made Vernon CoakerHome Office Minister Woman tells of 'slavery' We will work with all agencies and colleagues in this field to make sure more progress is made Vernon CoakerHome Office Minister Woman tells of 'slavery' class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=7461&edition=1">Send us your comments
Unicef said the government must put children's rights at the centre of its policies to safeguard victims.Unicef said the government must put children's rights at the centre of its policies to safeguard victims.
The study was carried out by Unicef and children's rights organisation Ecpat (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes).The study was carried out by Unicef and children's rights organisation Ecpat (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes).
Resident permitsResident permits
And it recommends that the victims should be given renewable residence permits to ensure children can remain in the UK to safely and securely recover from being trafficked.And it recommends that the victims should be given renewable residence permits to ensure children can remain in the UK to safely and securely recover from being trafficked.
Currently the government has discretionary powers to decide if a child can stay in the UK. Unicef said this should be changed.Currently the government has discretionary powers to decide if a child can stay in the UK. Unicef said this should be changed.
The report said: "A renewable residence permit would secure a legal status for children who had been trafficked and would acknowledge the extent of the human rights abuse and provide the necessary environment in which a child could begin to make a physical and mental recovery.The report said: "A renewable residence permit would secure a legal status for children who had been trafficked and would acknowledge the extent of the human rights abuse and provide the necessary environment in which a child could begin to make a physical and mental recovery.
"It should meet victims' needs and should not be granted in exchange for co-operation with the law-enforcement authorities.""It should meet victims' needs and should not be granted in exchange for co-operation with the law-enforcement authorities."
'Comprehensive strategy''Comprehensive strategy'
It also states data from across the country must be collected and analysed to reveal the true scale of the problem, and that the results should be reported annually to Parliament.It also states data from across the country must be collected and analysed to reveal the true scale of the problem, and that the results should be reported annually to Parliament.
HAVE YOUR SAY Any child here without the protection of family should be looked after Sandy, Derby Send us your comments
Responding to the report, Mr Coaker outlined government plans already announced to protect trafficking victims, including the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking and the UK Human Trafficking Centre.Responding to the report, Mr Coaker outlined government plans already announced to protect trafficking victims, including the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking and the UK Human Trafficking Centre.
"A huge amount of work has been done."A huge amount of work has been done.
"But there is more to do and we will work with all agencies and colleagues in this field to make sure more progress is made," he said."But there is more to do and we will work with all agencies and colleagues in this field to make sure more progress is made," he said.