Press Office

Three media students from City College Plymouth have been tackling the issues of child sex trafficking, in a special collaboration with the NHS.

The students, Millie Steel and Jessica Linden who are both 18, and Chloe Adams who is 17, were asked by the NHS to make a film about the kidnapping of children for sex trafficking.

The film will be used as an educational tool in schools and hospitals throughout the South West, with the aim of helping people to identify children who may have been, or may be at risk from, sex trafficking.

The students were assisted by their media lecturers, Lizzie Toms and Rob Chadwick, as well as the College’s safeguarding coordinator, Phil Smale. They thoroughly researched the subject by attending lectures about safeguarding, inspiring them with ideas about what the documentary should cover and who they could interview.  

The students arranged a series of interviews with a senior nursing manager, a doctor, a police officer and a member of the Children and Adolescent Mental Health team, with each person providing a different perspective on the issue. Filming took place in a variety of places around Plymouth, including Derriford Hospital and the city centre, using College drama students as actors.

Rob Chadwick, the students’ media lecturer, said: “This is the biggest project we’ve ever arranged for the media students and it is an unbelievable opportunity and responsibility for them to take on. I’m very proud of the three students involved as  they have worked incredibly hard and have delivered a fantastic product.”

Student, Jessica Linden, said: “We took on the challenge and found the project an interesting, yet difficult topic to deal with. The filming was very carefully planned and we were always liaising with the NHS team, every step of the way, to make sure we were on the right track.

“To prepare for our filming and to learn about this over looked issue, we undertook a lot of research and interviews. Throughout the filming process, we have worked closely with the Safeguarding team at the College, and with nurses who come into contact with trafficked children. We have found the whole process quite challenging and a steep learning curve, but are really thrilled with the end result!”

College Principal, Phil Davies, said: “I’m exceptionally proud of our students - they have worked extremely hard to research this emotive subject and highlight the issue of sex trafficking in the area, and the risk it poses to young people.

Dr Alex Mayor, Medical Director for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are pleased to have contributed to this film. As recent cases in the media have highlighted, this is a universal problem and a major concern, which has previously been largely unrecognised and has been on the increase in recent years. The film demonstrates the importance of a multi-agency approach and brings this difficult topic to the forefront of people’s minds.

“The students have done an excellent job in tackling this subject sensitively and we would like to thank them for their hard work.”

The documentary is being premiered at a special launch event at The Barbican Theatre on Wednesday 23 May.

The film, which was an idea initiated by Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, will be funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) and the Skills Funding Agency Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partnership Project Fund.