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 questionableit 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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