The call for a minister with direct responsibility comes as the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) revealed the extent of the crime, with 21 of its 22 teams across the country having uncovered evidence of organised grooming and trafficking.
Barnardo's says it is currently working with more than 1,000 children who have been groomed, abused and trafficked for money, but that the number represents only 'the tip of the iceberg'.
The charity also warned that the grooming of teenagers was being overlooked as social workers were preoccupied with younger children.
Ceop has begun a study 'to identify any patterns of offending, victimisation or vulnerability' but is keen for the debate to focus on the welfare of the victims.
Anne Marie Carrie, Barnardo's new chief executive, said the children had 'been forgotten as discussion has focused on the ethnicity of perpetrators in high-profile cases.
'Children are being passed from man to man, home to home, city to city.
'It's the domestic trafficking of children for money.