The Trade in Human Beings: Human Trafficking in the UK - Home Affairs Committee Contents


Supplementary memorandum submitted by The Salvation Army

  Thank you for your letter dated 18 February 2009 asking for an update on developments since the Committee first invited interested parties to submit evidence. I am pleased to respond on behalf of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom.

  In your letter, you outlined the areas you are particularly interested in and I have used that structure for the update below.

Any progress that has been made in assessing the scale of the traffic in the UK

  Pentameter One and Two have only revealed the tip of the iceberg. This criminal activity is countrywide and found in all areas of society from lap dancing clubs and brothels to residential housing, even though the NIMBY ("not in my back yard") syndrome prevails. The true scale of the phenomenon of human trafficking is, in our opinion, still unknown.

Any development in source countries or types of trafficking

  We are aware of cross-border liaison in Europe and our own International Development Department has initiated projects in source countries that provide safe housing, community education and micro credit programmes aiming at poverty reduction and minimised vulnerability.

Any views that you may have on whether the police and/or immigration officers have become more aware of the problem of trafficking and better able to identify and support victims

  Our experience is that there is a greater awareness and sensitivity to victims of trafficking as well as the ability to identify and support victims. However, the training does not seem to have received nationwide coverage. That said, it is recognised that this is a process that will take time to implement.

  In some instances there ought to have been better first responder knowledge during the two Pentameter Operations. Some participants were not aware that they were part of Operation Pentameter.

Whether the UKHTC has been a success in promoting understanding of the problem and coordinating the various agencies involved in tackling it

  There have been teething problems that have been worked through with regard to safe house provision and placement of victims.

  The Blue Blindfold campaign seems to have had a more internal impact. Wider use of this material could make a much bigger impact on raising awareness.

  A number of NGOs have their own campaign and awareness-raising material but there needs to be national lead.

Any trends in prosecution of criminal gangs

  No comment.

Any improvements in international cooperation to tackle the trade

  There has been a development in the relationship with the International Organization for Migration and the repatriation scheme.

Any change in provision of service for victims

  The UK Government Action Plan on human trafficking meets and exceeds the European Convention requirements eg accommodation with provision of health care and other benefits as well as the 45 days' reflection period for those aged 18 and over. However, our experience confirms that there will be those who will fall through the net of government provision.

  It is likely, as it is presently, that although 16-18 year old victims are the responsibility of Local Authorities, adequate care provision will be in short supply. There will also be those whose age is questionable—it is not clear whose responsibility will they be or whether they will be left in limbo? The most traumatised may well require longer than 45 days of support and if they are not ready/willing to give evidence what happens to them?

  There will be those who have a right to stay but no entitlement to housing benefit until they have worked for 12 months. They could easily become homeless and destitute unless another (non-statutory) provider steps into the breach.

  For your information, The Salvation Army is at work across the countries of Europe. In addition to the UK safe-house provision, this Europe-wide network is already responding to the problem of human trafficking through supported repatriation, poverty alleviation projects, with victim vulnerability reduction as the focus. Community awareness raising and safe house holistic victim support provision also features prominently. This should be further developed and financial support from the UK Government would be welcomed.

February 2009







 
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