Once in Europe, they are abandoned after parting with their family’s life savings. Of those who are lucky enough to actually make it to a trial, those who fail are abandoned by the agents who no longer see their economic value.
They are left without money, too ashamed to tell their families back at home know the truth. They overstay their visas and end up destitute on the streets of Europe.
With this staggeringly high number of trafficked children, it is surprising that Foot Solidaire is the only organisation in the whole of Europe specifically set up to help...
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The investigation was carried out by a cross-border team comprising of Yemisi Akinbobola, Paul Bradshaw and Ogechi Ekeanyawu; with additional work by David Blood, Leila Haddou, Caroline Beavon, and members of Hacks/Hackers Birmingham.
The project was the winner of the CNN African Journalists Awards 2016.
Photo © Phil Hilfiker
