Events > Human Trafficking in the UK: Strengthening Prevention, Prosecution and Protection

Event Details

Title:

Human Trafficking in the UK: Strengthening Prevention, Prosecution and Protection

Date:

Wednesday 28th April 2010

Time:

10.15am – 4.30pm

Venue:

Guoman Charing Cross Hotel, London

“ It is important that our strategy makes a difference on the ground. In order to tackle this crime successfully, we must work in a collaborative way with partners across central, regional and local government, law enforcement and the voluntary sector … We are committed to striking the right balance and accept that all three main areas of the end to end strategy must be in equilibrium. A strong enforcement arm is not effective unless the corollary victim protection and assistance is in place. Victims may not come forward and identify themselves if there is no support, protection or assistance available to them.”
— UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking, Home Office, 2007

“A central tenet to the victim strategy is ensuring that victims of trafficking are aware of their rights, and are able to access relevant information in appropriate languages. It is imperative that victims of trafficking are aware of the specific arrangements in place in the UK, are provided with an outline of what they can expect to happen as part of the NRM, and are provided with options available to them in order to aid their rehabilitation.”
— Update to the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking, Home Office, October 2009

Overview

With latest statistics indicating that little progress has been made in tackling human trafficking in the UK, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee inquiry into human trafficking in the UK stressed that far more must to be done to comprehensively address trafficking and its impact on victims. The report highlights the pressing need to increase public awareness of trafficking and improve police training in order to better identify victims and ensure timely and sensitive responses. Providing victims with clear guidance through the legal and judicial process and strengthening prosecution procedures were also cited as critical to protecting victims and ensuring safe resettlement.

In response, the Government has strengthened its commitment to eradicate this phenomenon with the launch of Update to the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking in October 2009. Within the new framework, a number of key measures designed to bolster efforts include:

A National Referral Mechanism and Trafficking Tool Kit to help frontline practitioners identify victims of trafficking and provide support

Working in accordance with the adoption of Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking Human Beings (April 2009)

Granting a 45 day minimum reflection and recovery period to victims

£4m over two years to enhance services for victims and a further £3.7m to the Poppy project

This special symposium offers a timely opportunity for police, UK Border Agency staff, local authorities, and other stakeholders to consider the updated Action Plan and examine the progress to date of current government policies within the context of the key findings of the Committee Report. The symposium will explore how to boost the identification and prosecution of trafficking in the UK and provide robust support and protection for trafficking victims. Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, share vital best practice, and network with colleagues from across the law enforcement, local authority, government and NGO landscape.

Programme

09:30

Registration and Morning Refreshments

10:15

Chair’s Welcome and Introduction

Gary Craig, Director, Wilberforce Institute, University of Hull (confirmed)

10:30

Panel Session One:
A Hidden Crime with Hidden Victims – Raising Awareness and Identification of Human Trafficking in the UK

Improving Public Awareness and Responses in Every Local Area
Utilising Existing Legislative Powers and the Trafficking Toolkit to Identify Victims
Implementing the National Referral Mechanism
Improving Training Regimes for Local Practitioners and Law Enforcement Agencies
Strengthening Multi-Agency Working and Sharing Good Practice

Claire Meaney, Head, Vulnerable Persons Team, Serious Organised Crime Agency (confirmed)
Victoria Kuhr, Community Action and Resource Officer, Stop the Traffick (confirmed)
Nick Kinsella, Independent Consultant; Former Head, UK Human Trafficking Centre (confirmed)

11:15

Morning Coffee Break

11:30

Open Floor Discussion and Debate with Panel One

12:30

Networking Lunch

13:30

Panel Session Two:
Safeguarding Victims of Trafficking: Strengthening Victim Support and Improving Prosecution Rates

Complying with and Exceeding the European Convention on Action Against Human Trafficking
Providing Legal/Judicial Advice, Guidance and Information through Qualified Interpreters
Evaluating Victim Experiences of the CJS and Mapping Service Availability
Ensuring Safe Resettlement and Repatriation of Victims
Working with Local Delivery Agents to Provide Better Care and Support for Victims at Greater Capacity

Denise Marshall OBE, Director, Poppy Project (confirmed)
Parosha Chandran, Barrister, 1 Pump Court Chambers (confirmed)
Pam Bowen, Senior Policy Adviser, Policy Directorate, Crown Prosecution Service (confirmed)