27 August 2023 – Responding to the news that a growing number of children are being housed in an adult prison that holds a significant number of sex offenders, Alison Griffin, Head of Influencing at Save the Children UK, said:

“Unaccompanied children on the move are among the world’s most vulnerable. We know these children are susceptible to a huge number of risks, including multiple forms of violence and abuse.

“The fact that children arrive here having made these treacherous journeys only to be locked up is already a breach of their rights and against their best interests, and puts them at risk of significant psychological, physical and developmental damage. That they are in adult prison with sex offenders shows how callous disregard for a group of marginalised people has the potential to explode into a child protection crisis of epic proportions.

“Treating asylum seekers like criminals contravenes our commitment to the Refugee Convention and we need to see these children immediately taken out of these appalling conditions and into a safe place that respects their rights.”

ENDS

For more information please email media@savethechildren.org.uk