UK/Africa: Uniting against child abuse

AFRUCA - AFRICANS UNITE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

PRESS RELEASE

8 JUNE 2004

AFRUCA HOLDS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHILD TRAFFICKING

African community leaders are expected to make strong calls for the
government to engage African communities in the fight against child
trafficking in a conference to be held on Tuesday, 22 June 2004.

The conference, organised by children's charity AFRUCA - (Africans Unite
Against Child Abuse) aims to provide a platform for the African
community to deliberate on the increasing number of its children
trafficked to the UK.

The event will also provide an opportunity for government and agencies
working with trafficked children to have dialogue with the community
about its role in the safeguarding of African children.

The event is taking place amidst continuous media interest in child
trafficking following the deaths of Victoria Climbié and "Boy Adam".
It is being held in the aftermath of the publication of the Metropolitan
Police Service report of a scoping exercise carried out between
September and November 2003 at Heathrow Airport. Termed "Operation
Paladin Child", the research highlighted the disproportionate number of
unaccompanied African children arriving in the UK .The conference also
has resonance with the recent research report by ECPAT UK: "Cause for
Concern?" which identified at least 10 African countries as sources of
trafficked children in the UK.

Keynote speakers at the event include Harriet Harman QC, Solicitor
General, Tarique Ghaffur, Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
Service, David Bull, Executive Director, UNICEF UK and Mende Nazir, a
victim of trafficking and author of the book "Slave" which detailed her
experience as a trafficked child.

AFRUCA Director Debbie Ariyo said:
"Child trafficking conferences are held every year but there has been
no effort on behalf of the government to work with affected communities
to solve the problem".

"Child Trafficking is an international problem that must be addressed at
the source. Many African communities in the UK can help to protect
vulnerable children and safeguard victims of trafficking. Community
groups have their own ways of working with children in need and their
capacity must be strengthened. Faith groups in particular have a strong
influence amongst Africans. Their role in helping to safeguard
vulnerable children needs to be explored."

Conference organiser, Abiola Sanusi said:
"Africans are tired of being portrayed negatively in the media. There
are people who feel very strongly about child trafficking and who are
willing to work to stop it. Such people can become Community Champions,
sensitising their communities and drawing attention to the negative
impact of trafficking on victims and on Africans as a whole".

"By not engaging with communities on this issue, the government is
letting a valuable resource go to waste", Debbie Ariyo added.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. AFRUCA - Africans Unite Against Child Abuse is an organisation
concerned about cruelty against the African child. Our aim is to promote
the welfare of African children in the UK and in Africa.

2. "The Role of the African Community in Combating Child
Trafficking"
Conference is being held as part of a series of activities from 21 to 26
June 2004 to celebrate our third year in existence.

3. For further information and registration details visit
www.afruca.org
or e-mail [email protected].

4. For further enquiries and interviews:

Modupe Debbie Ariyo - Director, AFRUCA
Tel: 020 7704 2261
Office Mobile: 07958 340 715
Tel/Fax: +44(0)20 7704 2266
www.afruca.org