This report explores the heightened risks of human trafficking faced by unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK, specifically those accommodated in Home Office hotels. Through a combination of legal analysis and empirical storytelling, the report compares the risks associated with Home Office hotels to those in local authority care settings. It highlights that the use of hotels increases the vulnerability of these children to trafficking and exploitation. Key findings include the lack of appropriate safeguarding measures in hotels, the problematic adultification of children, and particular risks faced by Albanian children due to media scapegoating. The report concludes with several policy recommendations aimed at improving the protection and care of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK.
Authors
- Pages
- 62
- Published in
- United Kingdom
Table of Contents
- A Storytelling Legal and Empirical Analysis of Human 1
- Trafficking Risks in Home Office Hotels Compared to 1
- Other Accommodation for Unaccompanied Children 1
- UCL 3
- ECPAT UK 3
- Acknowledgements 3
- Contents 4
- 1.0 Foreword 4
- 2.0 Introduction 4
- 3.0 Methods and Theoretical Framework 4
- Legal Analysis 4
- Empirical Analysis and Results 5
- Discussion and Policy Recommendations 5
- Conclusion 5
- References 5
- Annex 5
- Abbreviations 6
- List of Figures 6
- List of Tables 6
- Executive Summary 7
- Key Findings 7
- Key Recommendations 8
- Foreword 9
- Foreword by the Independent Anti- Slavery Commissioner 10
- Introduction 11
- Aims of the Research Study 15
- Methods and Theoretical Framework 16
- 3.1 Legal Study and Analysis 17
- 3.2 Empirical Study and Analysis 18
- Table 1 Overview of Expert Interviews 18
- Table 2 Overview of Young People and Adult Experts by Experience 20
- 3.3 Conceptualisations and Frameworks 21
- Figure 1 BETR Prevention Continuum 21
- Legal Analysis 22
- 4.1 Introduction 23
- 4.2 Lawfare 23
- 4.3 Domestic Application of the International Legal Framework 24
- 4.4 Child Welfare National Law in England and Wales 25
- 4.5 Children in Home Office Hotels 26
- 4.6 The Illegal Migration Act 27
- 4.7 Legal Case Study Analysis 27
- 4.8 Conclusion of Legal Analysis 32
- Empirical Analysis and Results 33
- 6.1 Study Limitations Challenges and Future Research 48
- 6.2 Way Forwards and Upcoming Challenges 49
- 6.3 Policy Recommendations 51
- Conclusion 52
- References 54
- Annex 60
- Table 3 Relevant Legislation for Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum 61
