Safehouse to close

The UK’s only safehouse for children who have been trafficked is
to close down it has been announced by West Sussex County
Council.

The council, who funds the service, said that a decrease in
demand since the house began three years ago had led to their
decision. They added that they were still deciding on the next
steps for the children currently living in the house.

End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of
Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT UK), a child prostitution
campaign group, has written to health minister Jacqui Smith
requesting a meeting to discuss the closure and the need for
legislation and more support services for trafficked children.

“Although it is the only one in the country at least it keeps
the issue of trafficked children on the agenda and provides a best
practice model for other social services departments,” said Carron
(correct) Somerset, campaign officer for the group.