COVID-19 and Preventing Child Trafficking – A Need for Collaborative Attitudes between Public Health and Educational Professionals in Supporting Vulnerable Children

Abstract

The present study aims to describe the need for collaborative attitudes between public health and educational professionals in supporting vulnerable children during COVID-19 pandemic. Trafficking is more common in socioeconomically underprivileged communities. COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of children across the world – in terms of resource availability, educational access, and safety. Child trafficking victims are recruited, harboured, or transferred for the purpose of exploitation. This alarming problem exists in all nations. Current social systems are not equipped to adequately manage our increasingly globalized world and are failing the world’s vulnerable children. Child protective service providers, medical/mental health support, as well as teachers and educational organizations are becoming more inaccessible due to poor funding and understaffing. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has recently reported increased risk for children and current victims during this pandemic. This paper suggests the critical role teachers and doctors can play in recognizing and blocking child trafficking and supporting victims. For these reasons, greater funding and resources for healthcare professionals and educators is necessary for training and implementation.