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Sex trafficking victims reveal horror of witchcraft and torture being used to enslave women in Scotland

Women trafficked into the sex industry in Scotland have revealed how they were enslaved by witchcraft, torture and death threats. In one testimony a young woman was branded and made to take a witchcraft oath to prevent her from escaping. "I had to take the oath. I was given this mark on my hand. I was told that this mark, if you tell anyone what has transpired, you are going to die. They gave me a razor blade to eat, they took my armpit hair, they removed my nails from my toes and my fingers. They removed the hair on my body, they tied it up and put it in this shrine, then they tear my body and told me that if I tell anyone, 'you will just die'. When I saw the shrine, it was so big, I was so scared." Daily Record

Sex trafficking in Scotland: Scots couple became first people to be jailed under new sex trafficking laws

Stephen Craig and Ashleigh Beuken have become the first people jailed under new sex trafficking laws in Scotland. Craig, 34, was jailed for three years and four months, while Beuken, 23, got 18 months. Daily Record

UN, UK Team to tackle human trafficking

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have partnered up with London-based watchmakers, Backes and Strauss in order to raise funds for victims of human trafficking through the launch of a line of watches. Leadership

All-women team row into records books with Atlantic crossing

Row for Freedom have become the first five-female team to row any ocean, and have also completed the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an all-female team. The purpose of the challenge was to raise money for victims of human trafficking. The Telegraph

Observing the 2012 Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the US, and wider world

This article looks at current global efforts to increase public awareness of human trafficking and tackle the issue. With regards to the UK the article highlights how trafficked victims are becoming less visible and increasingly harder to identify. Additionally, it states; "officials are seeking to detect exploitation prior to sentencing — as a counter to the high number of foreign women in jails, frequently having been victims of trafficking". Wiki News

PSNI to visit men who paid for sex with trafficked women

A senior officer from the Police Service in Northern Ireland has confirmed that fifteen men, who are suspected of paying for sex with trafficked women, will be targeted and deterred from using such services. Det Spt Marshall said "the words "clients" or "punters" should in fact be replaced with "exploiters, or dare I say it, rapists". BBC

Trafficked Foreign Women Arrested For Crimes They Were Forced Into, Claims Report

Recent reports indicate that foreign women are being imprisoned for crimes they were forced into, after being trafficked into the UK. Olga Heaven, director of Hibiscus, said: "High numbers of women are brought into the UK deceived and exploited. Many are young women with a dream of going to a first world country to achieve something, but what they are brought in for is either prostitution or some other kind of enforced labour. Others who have been provided with false documents are detained by immigration or custom officials and often find themselves imprisoned on arrival. More needs to be done to identify vulnerable foreign national women in need of protection before they get into trouble with the law." Huffington Post

Opera aims to tackle the issue of human trafficking

The first opera to focus purely on human trafficking will be premiered this spring and aims to raise awareness on the global issue among the public. Director of Anya17, Caroline Clegg, has said; "Enslavement is the cruelest and most inhuman act one human being can perpetrate on another and the very fact that in the 21st century it is as prevalent today as it was 200 years ago is abhorrent. In Anya17 we will tell the story honestly, without compromise or neglect for the truth and we invite you all to come and watch, particularly if you are a man. Let's not shirk this issue. Slavery today is predominantly perpetrated by males, particularly in sexual slavery. And yes, let's use the word slavery. Trafficking is just a means of transportation. People are being bought and sold into slavery. What else do you call it if someone is forced to work 7 days a weeks, 18 hours a day without pay and they are locked in a house without any means to escape or communicate with the outside world?" Guardian

Dispatches: Britain’s Sex Gangs

This documentary explores how thousands of children are potentially being sexually exploited by street grooming gangs within the UK. In some cases girls are trafficked across county borders and forced to have sex with many men. Channel 4

Two Liverpool taxi drivers arrested on suspicion of human trafficking

Two taxi drivers from Merseyside have had their licences suspended following allegations of human trafficking. Neither have been named but it has been confirmed that they worked for a private hire company in Sefton. Reports suggest that they were part of a ring that lured overseas workers and exploited them on their arrival in the UK. Southport Visitor

RIRA link to drugs, human slave trade

During a recent meeting, in Westminster, MP’s were informed, by the PSNI and Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), that the IRA was securing protection money from organised crime gangs involved in human and drug trafficking. News Letter

Trafficked people being treated as criminals by officials, inquiry says

An enquiry has found that victims of human trafficking are being unfairly treated as criminals and illegal immigrants. The report, conducted by Lady Helena Kennedy and present to the Scottish office of the Equality and Human Rights commission (EHRC) suggest that police and immigration authorities are failing to recognise individuals, who have been trafficked into Britain, as victims and calls on the UK and Scottish governments to establish legislation and criminal justice policies that will provide adequate support for victims and allow human trafficking to be treated as a specific crime. Guardian

More than 200 human trafficking claims reported to gardaí since 2008

Over the past three years 215 allegations of human trafficking have been made to gardai. The immigration Council of Ireland, however, has stated that this figure is likely to be much higher. At a recent seminar held in Dublin, Myria Vassiliadou, the European Union’s anti-trafficking coordinator, said human trafficking was one of the “most profitable types of crimes in the world with the least number of prosecutions”. She went on to add; “Few victims of trafficking into Ireland have been formally identified by the authorities to date and afforded the designated assistance for suspected victims of such a crime. Instead, most detected victims find themselves caught in the asylum process and living in direct provision, and no special treatment is offered to take account of the trauma they may have encountered.” Irish Times

Interview: Ann Hamilton, head of Human Trafficking Foundation

In this article, Ann Hamilton, talks about her new position as the head of the Human Trafficking Foundation (HTF) and looks back over her career which has focused on helping marginalised women. She talks further about the coalition’s strategy, published in July, on human trafficking, welcoming the focus on prevention and prosecution but highlights concerns about the emphasis placed on immigration. She states that this emphasis fails to recognise the full nature of human trafficking within the UK. She also draws attention to the fact that not all victims have immigration issues; “It is worth remembering that the seventh-largest group of referrals of victims of trafficking during 2009-11 were UK citizens.” Scotsman

Companies told to do more to protect workers as London Olympics nears

A public panel debate entitled ‘Vulnerable Workers, Trafficking, Pornography and the Economics of Exploitation: London 2012 and beyond’, was held on 17 November 2011. The nature of exploitation and the potential for companies to do more to prevent it were discussed by various speakers. Such issues are particularly relevant now, during the current economic downturn, and in the lead up to the London Olympics. Ekklesia

Row for Freedom

To raise awareness and funding for projects tackling human trafficking Julia Immonen, founder of Sport Against Trafficking, will lead a team of six female rowers across the Atlantic in early December. The funds raised will be split between ECPAT UK (End Childhood Pornography and Trafficking) and The A21 Campaign. Realwire

Shame of the kids smuggled into Scotland for sex trade

Research reveals that since 2007 one Scottish Council has reported at least 35 cases where youngsters have been trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation. It is likely that the nationwide figure, however, is much higher. A report due to be released later this month, by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, is expected to expose rural areas of the country where child trafficking has spread to, whilst also revealing an increase in the number of children trafficked into Scotland. Daily Express

China baby-trafficking ring is shut down

A recent Chinese state run newspaper has revealed that police in Zoucheng, Shandong province, have shut down a human trafficking network involving low-income migrant couples who were selling their babies to Chinese buyers. The buyers either wanted more children or want them as a slave. 13 of the infants have since been rescued. The article reveals that baby boys can be sold for up to 50,000 yuan (£4,900), while baby girls can go for 30,000 yuan. In China, penalties for trafficking are severe and can include the death penalty. Guardian

Police arrest 31 benefit fraud people traffickers

Following a two year investigation conducted by Polish Authorities and UK Customs Officers 31 individuals have been arrested for trafficking at least 200 vulnerable individuals into Britain. The victims were promised jobs by the gang but on their arrival in the UK they were coerced into opening bank accounts and their traffickers then falsely applied for tax credits and other benefits, emptied the accounts and then abandoning the victims. Telegraph

London Prostitutes Choose Their Job, Not Forced into Sex Trade, Says Survey

A research team at London Metropolitan University have produced a report titled; In whose name? Migration, Sex Work and Trafficking. The report recognizes how human trafficking for sexual exploitation is a problem in London but states that thousands of individuals are in the sex industry out of choice. These findings relate to 100 interviews with prostitutes, 94% reported that they had not been coerced into prostitution. London Net

Lorry stickers aim to halt human trafficking

Stickers drawing attention to the issues of human trafficking are being placed on lorries, owned by haulage contractor Hockin Transport, leaving Barnstaple. Irene from Hockin Transport said: "Our lorries deliver throughout the UK, and include docks, which are obviously areas of special concern, regarding trafficking. I've now had a quote for the supply of smaller signs, suitable for lorry cabs and vans, so about 100 will be placed on our company vehicles”. The stickers comprise of the Purple Teardrop Campaign logo launched by Soroptimist International of Poole and Crimestoppers number. This is North Devon

Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, was pleased to back the Government’s work to tackle human trafficking

Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, has announced that he is backing the Government’s efforts to tackle human trafficking. “The UK must not be a safe haven for trafficking and those who traffic women, children or men must be pursued and brought to justice. The Government’s Human Trafficking Strategy and the new national Crime Agency’s Border Police Command will help focus action on this issue”. About My Area

Norfolk MP to raise human trafficking concerns with prime minister

Following an anti-trafficking event held at 10 Downing Street, hosted by David Cameron, South West Norfolk MP, Liz Truss, has vowed to write to David Cameroon about the human trafficking concerns in the Norfolk region. She said; “It is appalling that slavery is taking place under our noses and I am pleased that the government has made it clear that traffickers will be pursued and brought to justice.” EDP24

Airline crew to spot trafficking

Virgin Atlantic has become the first UK airline to train crew on how to identify signs of human trafficking on flights and report them to authorities before landing. Virgin staff signed up to the initiative at Heathrow Airport to mark Anti-Slavery Day.

Dorset poet pens anti-trafficking opera

A poet from Dorset has written the words for a modern opera called Anya Seventeen which tells the story of an Eastern European woman who become a victim of human trafficking. The opera will be performed for the first time by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Ensemble in March 2012. BBC

Men who use trafficked girls may be prosecuted

On Anti-Slavery Day Northern Ireland confirmed that prosecution was being considered for men who unwittingly purchase sex from victims of human trafficking. Upper Bann MP David Simpson, who is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking, welcomed the news; “Northern Ireland is becoming more and more exposed to this vile crime and I welcome the PSNI and authorities taking any steps which will help victims.” Newsletter

Observer writer wins Human Trafficking Foundation Media Award

The Observer's home affairs editor, Mark Townsend, has won the Human Trafficking Foundation Media Award for his article titled ‘Sex trafficking trade forces women from Odessa to massage parlours in Britain,' published in the Observer on 2 July 2011. The award marked Anti-Slavery Day and was established to praise journalists who highlight the effects of human trafficking. Guardian

Children lost from care in human trafficking cases, says council

Recently released reports state that 25 children, suspected of being trafficked into the UK this year have gone missing from care. The children involved were aged between 12 and 17 and from Afghanistan, Vietnam, Algeria, Morocco, India, Albania and Palestine. 21 of the children were trafficked to work in cannabis farms. It is widely believed that these children were tracked down by their traffickers after being put in care. Ecpat UK, an anti-trafficking campaign group, has since renewed its calls for the government to provide guardians for child victims of trafficking to prevent them going missing from care. In response to Ecpat UK’s initial call David Cameron said; "the current arrangements for safeguarding trafficked children are sufficiently comprehensive and afford those vulnerable children the protection they deserve." Guardian

Caged 'girls for sale' in Oxford

Actors from the Oxford Student Union came together to mark Anti-Slavery day on Cornmarket Street, Oxford. A sign saying “pretty girls for sale” stood next to several girls imprisoned in cages who were being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Linda Ludlow from the group said that the purpose of the event was to reveal how women used in human trafficking were dealt with as commodities. BBC

Anti-slavery day: Highlighting a domestic problem

The 18th October will mark Anti-Slavery day. Several representatives from charities including the International Organisation for Migration, the Human Trafficking Foundation and Barnardos will be at Trafalgar Square, London, imprisoned under a giant, upside-down trolley representing the plight of human trafficking victims in the UK. “For too long the belief has been that human trafficking can only be tackled in source countries”. But this is not the case, “human trafficking is driven by the demand for unreasonably cheap labour and goods across the world, including in the UK.” says International Organisation for Migration Director, General William Lacy Swing. The Independent

The business of slavery

Christine Beddoe, Director of ECPAT UK, draws attention to the training needed to tackle the difficulties for public sector agencies in tackling child trafficking and abuse, whilst also highlighting the large number of reported cases of trafficked children who have gone missing from Local Authority care and have never been found. Public Service

Joy vanished into Britain's child-sex trade - why aren't we looking for her?

This article explores cases of child human trafficking, within the UK, where victims have been rescued from slavery only to go missing from UK care systems. It is believed that in such cases victims are tracked down by their traffickers and rarely resurface. Philip Ishola from the London Safeguarding Children's Board said that from his experience 90% of Vietnamese children in care go missing. The Guardian

Pair jailed for human trafficking

A couple have been jailed for trafficking women into the UK and forcing them to work as prostitutes in Chelsea and Earls Court. Sergey Konart, 41, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Ekaterina Kolesnikova, 26, to two and a half years. The victims were vulnerable young Eastern European women who were promised well paid work as dancers, waitresses and shop assistants. Instead when they arrived in the UK their ID and travel documents were taken away from them and they were held to a debt bond of up to £80,000, which they were forced to pay off by working as prostitutes. Kensington and Chelsea Chronicle

Hundreds of African children trafficked to the UK

Over the last four years, at least 400 African children have reportedly been abducted and trafficked to the UK. Further reports reveal that Uganda has become one of the primary source countries for children to be bought and smuggled to Britain. It is believed that 9,000 children have gone missing in the country over the past four years. BBC

Fighting Trafficking in Wales

A project to support and raise awareness of trafficking for sexual exploitation has been launched in Wrexham, North Wales. The Welsh Government has selected the Black Association of Women Step Out (BAWSO), a voluntary based organization, to deliver the project which will provide refuge while victim cases are being assessed. News Wales

A Slavery and Human Trafficking Review

In this article Rebecca Duffett, highlights the work of Unseen (UK) and goes on to discuss the Slavery and Human Trafficking Review that is due to be publish next autumn and is being chaired by Andrew Wallis, Unseen (UK) Director. The review aims to 'Look at the fact that slavery isn't a problem that was dealt with 200 years ago, but is actually a problem now in the UK and across the globe in our cities and towns.' Andrew Wallis. Cross Rhythms

Northern Ireland a gateway for people traffickers

A recently release report compiled by the NSPCC NI and Barnardos NI suggests that Northern Ireland is being used by human traffickers as a gateway to both Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The report states; "There is evidence that human traffickers are using Belfast International Airport as a port of entry to the UK and some media reports state that Northern Ireland has been identified as a key gateway for criminal gangs involved in people trafficking to the Republic of Ireland." BBC

Child sex exploitation probe: Man released and 16 rebailed

A man, arrested in June on suspicion of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, has been release without charge. A further 16 involved in the case have had their bail extended until November. The case relates to several girls from Stockport who were given drink and drugs and taken to sex parties in Manchester and Salford. BBC

Q and A: Modern slavery in the UK

In this article Home Affairs Correspondent, Dominic Casciana, discusses the Green Acres Travellers trafficking case in relation to the alleged crimes committed, why the laws came into place in 2010 and how slavery can exist in a modern society. BBC

Five arrested in ‘slavery’ raid at Green Acres travellers’ site

During a raid on the Green Acres travellers site in Bedfordshire four men and a women were arrested and are being held on suspicion of committing offences under section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. The victims include 24 men from England, Poland and Romania; some are believed to have been living and working there in a state of virtual slavery for up to 15 years. Det Ch Insp Sean O'Neil said: "The men we found at the site were in a poor state of physical health and the conditions they were living in were shockingly filthy and cramped.” The men were reportedly ‘recruited’ from soup kitchens and benefits offices. Some are believed to have had problems with alcoholism. Nine of the victims have decided against assisting the police enquiry. BBC

Two Scots admit sex trafficking across UK

Stephen Craig, 34, and Sarah Beukan, 22, have pleaded guilty to trafficking 14 men and women within the UK for prostitution and have become the first to be charged under section 22 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, a new legislation intended to deal with a range of offences involving trafficking for sexual exploitation. BBC

Lithuanuna sex slave’s bid to escape Great Yarmouth trafficker

A Lithuanian women, aged 19, trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation was described by Det Ch Insp Rickie Botwright, who led the inquiry, as a "typical victim of traffickers". He believes she was targeted due to her poor education, limited life experience and the fact there would be a market for an attractive young girl in the UK. When asked by the defence, during cross-examination, why she did not try to escape from her traffickers she said that she was terrified of what might happen to her family and boyfriend if she did. BBC

Great Yarmouth sex slave trafficker jailed for 11 years

Nerijus Lekecinskas, aged 34, from Bradwell, has been found guilty of trafficking a Lithuanian woman and then forcing her into prostitution. He has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Another man related to the case, named Skirmantas Kvedaras, aged 47, from Great Yarmouth, has been jailed for six years. Both men were found guilty on one count of rape. In relation to Lekecinskas, Judge Alasdair Darroch said: "This is a very serious and upsetting case involving the exploitation of a very vulnerable young woman who had to show a lot of courage to come forward." BBC

Cochrane and Papas jailed for Oxford sex trafficking

Two men have been jailed following concerns being raised about their Oxford escort agency called Fun Girls. Anastassios Papas, 43, was found guilty of trafficking women within the UK for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to traffic women within the UK for sexual exploitation, controlling prostitution for gain and converting £67,075 of criminal property. He was sentenced to seven-years, plus four years on licence. Graham Cochrane,49, was convicted of two counts of trafficking women into the UK for sexual exploitation and trafficking women within the UK for sexual exploitation. He received a five year sentence. BBC

MPs Warn over Turkey migrant risk to EU

A committee of MPs has warned that Turkey must improve its border control before being able to join the European Union. The Home Affairs Committee claims that thousands of migrants enter the EU illegally through Turkey into Greece – many of these migrants then head on to Britain. The committee has also raised concerns about human trafficking and drug smuggling through this route. BBC

Demand Supply

Demand Supply is a short film which addressed the potential increase in sex trafficking during the 2012 Olympic Games. Most recently it was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and is now being submitted to UK Film Festivals. It will be available to the public later this year.

Cornish firm to make human trafficking ‘maps’

Sea Communications, based in Penryn, have won a web design contract with Stop the Traffik to create an internet-based mapping system to identify areas around the world where human traffickers operate. The map will show where the trafficking sources and destinations are. The aim of the campaign is to find out more about the trade and encourage people to report incidents of trafficking. BBC

Organised crime strategy promises ‘tough approach’

The UK government is promising a "much tougher approach" to organised crime, following the release of figures revealing that £1bn in assets were seized or frozen last year. The operation will run over four years and will target drugs and human trafficking. Police estimate that 6,000 groups and up to 38,000 people are involved in organised crime, and that it could cost the UK economy between £20bn and £40bn a year. BBC

Endurance Campaign Demonstrates the Cruelty of Human Trafficking

On 25 July campaigner and musician, Phil Knight, began an anti-human cruelty campaign in aid of Emma Thompson’s Helen Bamber Foundation the campaign, known as ‘The Everyday Project’. He will spend two weeks in solitary confinement in a shipping container outside of Euston Station in Euston Square Gardens. The campaign aims to illustrate a small part of what victims of human trafficking and torture endure. ‘Phil is making a very public statement on the private sense of isolation and torment felt by the victims torture’. Dr Michael Korsinski, Helen Bamber Foundation. Demotix

Trafficked girl's carer in court fight for access to children's services

The lawyer of a girl trafficked into the UK, after spending her childhood imprisoned in a brothel in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has challenged officials from Barnet council, in north London, who decided that the girl was an adult and should not be entitled to financial and educational benefits. The Guardian

Authorities failing to enforce law aimed at tackling sex with trafficked women

Recent reports indicate that the police and prosecutors failure to enforce a law that criminalises men who pay for sex with women who have been trafficked into the UK is hampering efforts to tackle human trafficking. The Guardian

Traffickers target Olympics

Theresa May has announced that working with other countries to combat human trafficking will be key as the Olympic Games near to help “respond quickly and appropriately to any potential increased risk of trafficking”. Estimates suggest that 2,600 people were trafficked for sexual exploitation alone in 2009. It is also believed that about 300 children are smuggled in to the UK every year. The Guardian

Fred and Rosemary West's former home 'used by sex traffickers'

Following an investigation conducted by the Metropolitan police's human exploitation and organised crime command and Czech authorities three people have been charged with conspiracy to traffic women into prostitution in the UK. The Guardian

Groomed, raped, discarded: how one girl's story opened police eyes to abuse

Five years after discovering a child sexual exploitation case in Greater Manchester police reveal that the crime is an issue throughout the region. Reports reveal that young girls are routinely groomed and sexually abused; some are trafficked within the UK to other abusers. Greater Manchester Police believe that child sexual exploitation is one of the greatest threats in its force area. The Guardian

Malmström admits 'more needs to be done' to tackle child sex trade

Speaking at an event in Brussels EU commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, stated that more needs to be done to tackle child trafficking for sexual exploitation, describing it as "the most horrible crime imaginable". A petition organised by the Body Shop and the campaign group, End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT), which asks the EU to press member states to implement the directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, was handed to her during the event and contained 2.3 million signatures. In a recent report the ECPAT stated; "Our findings challenge the perception that child sex trade is a phenomenon confined to developing areas of the world and reveals that children are trafficked for sexual exploitation in virtually all countries of the world." The Parliament

Nine Arrested

Thirteen raids took place on homes and suspected brothels, throughout the UK, leading to the arrest on nine individuals. Three men aged 52, 38 and 34 and a woman aged 35, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to control prostitution for gain, trafficking and money laundering offences. Additionally, four men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of being involved in brothel management. The leader of the sex trafficking ring is thought to be among those arrested. The women believed to be working in the brothels have been taken to a specialist assessment center. BBC

Embassy workers case study: 'I was treated like a slave'

Catherine took up the opportunity to work for a diplomat in a Middle Eastern embassy in London but shortly found herself trapped in slavery and forced to work 17 hours per day, with no days off. Catherine claims she was routinely abused by her employee; “He sexually molested me and would become angry when I refused his advances.” After a violent incident where the diplomat physically beat her she ran away. Because Catherine came from the same country as her employer she is entitled to claim asylum because of the dangers she may face if she returns home. The Guardian

Nepal's Stolen Children

In a documentary, addressing the issues of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, actress, Demi Moore travels to Nepal to joint Anuradha Koirala, the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year, and meet some of the women and girls her organization has rescued from forced prostitution. CNN

Human Trafficking Police Leader Resigns

Superintendent Bernard Gravett has resigned from his post in Jersey after just two months. Reports indicate that he left for personal reasons. Prior to his position in Jersey he was the UK team leader in a joint venture with Romania dealing with issues like human trafficking, intelligence-sharing and delivering training across the world to police officers. BBC

Traffickings Exploiting instability in Yemen

The International Organization for Migration has reported that human traffickers are exploiting the current instability in Yemen. This year alone traffickers have brought an estimated 27,000 individuals into the country from Ethiopia and Somalia. An Ethiopian man, who managed to escape from his traffickers, described the experience as traumatizing. "I saw women being raped by up to eight men. Even men were not spared from rape." BBC

CARE welcomes Government’s human trafficking strategy

CARE has cautiously welcomed the Government’s new human trafficking strategy recently released. CARE’s director of parliamentary affairs, Dan Boucher, stated that he was happy with the strategy’s focus on tackling trafficking demands, however, he stressed that more could be done. "If there was no demand there would be no trafficking and thus more emphasis and resources should be placed on cutting off demand at source”. CARE’s human trafficking policy officer, Lydia Bowden highlighted disappointment that only two out of the 24 pages were dedicated to the care and protection of victims. Christian Today

Stolen- New BBC drama

Fiftteenth Arrest over Child Exploitation

Fifteen men, from Manchester, have been arrested on suspicion of trafficking within the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Gavin Poole: It's time to stamp out the evil of slavery in Britain - thinktankcentral

Gavin Poole is the Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice. Modern day slavery - the buying and selling of people at low risk for high profit - is spilling into the UK at worrying levels. Today, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) begins its review on slavery and human trafficking in the

Slavery in Britain

Slavery is still a big problem in the UK even though it was officially abolished 200 years ago. The Centre for Social Justice says at least 6,000 women have been trafficked into the UK and forced into prostitution. It says others are working as domestic servants or forced labour.

Think-tank launches slavery inquiry

Slavery remains as much of a problem in the UK as when it was officially abolished 200 years ago, a think-tank has said. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) will launch a review of slavery and human trafficking as estimates show at least 6,000 women have been trafficked into the UK and forced into prostitution. Others are working as domestic servants or forced labour.

On Trial for Grooming

Nine men, from Telford in Shropshire, are facing an assortment of charges ranging from controlling, facilitating, causing or inciting child prostitution, conspiracy to incite child prostitution rape, sexually activity with a child and trafficking in the UK for sexual exploitation as well as meeting child following sexual grooming. Telegraph

Five held in suspected brothel raid

A Chinese herbalist, in Newcastle, was raided after police suspected that it was being run as a brothel. During the raid two women, who were allegedly being forced to work as prostitutes, were rescued. It has since come to light that five individuals have been arrested on suspicion of sex trafficking in the relation to the case. These individuals include two men aged 63 and 39 and three women aged 39, 28 and 23. Following the incident Immigration Minister Damian Green added; "The new trafficking strategy will be published shortly which, supported by the creation of the new National Crime Agency, will further improve our capability to intervene at the border." The Independent

Trafficking victims should have legal redress and compensation

The UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has stressed her dissatisfaction with the treatment human trafficking victims receive and their opportunities for redress; “In many States, trafficked persons do not receive remedies in a holistic manner as a matter of right, but are only provided with ad hoc measures which are predominantly aimed at facilitating criminal investigation.” Ms. Ezeilo called on states to ensure that effective measures were in place to allow for quick and accurate identification of trafficked victims, drawing attention to incidents where victims had been identified as irregular migrants. In such cases, victims are often deported and therefore unable to seek redress. Ms. Ezeilo went further to highlight that when a safe return to the country of origin was not guaranteed victims must be offered temporary or permanent residence permits. UN Press Centre

Freephone for trafficking victims

A freephone line for victims of human trafficking has been launched in an effort to encourage victims to report their cases to the police. The number is featured in a poster campaign produced for the police force and the charity Stop The Traffik. Over the past 12 months the police forces unit, known as SCD9, which fights human trafficking, has procured 12 convictions and an addition 12 individuals are awaiting trial. BBC

Nigerian 'baby factory' raided and 32 teenage girls freed

Police in Nigeria raided a home which was reportedly holding teenage girls, between the ages of 15 and 17. The proprietor was allegedly forcing the girls to have babies that were then offered for sale for trafficking or other purposes. Thirty two girls were rescued during the raid and the proprietor was arrested. It is believed that he is likely to face human trafficking and child abuse charges. In Nigeria, the crime of buying or selling babies can carry a fourteen year jail term. Some of the girls, who were rescued, explained that they had been offered between 25,000 and 30,000 naira (£113) to sell their babies, depending on the sex of the child. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) these babies would then be sold to buyers for between 300,000 and one million naira. The Telegraph

Two Little Girls

'Two Little Girls' follows the stories of two young women who are cruelly deceived by loved ones. Their stories reflect the two most common ways women and girls are lured from their homes and are trafficked into prostitution by people they know and trust. Narrated by Juliet Stevenson. Produced by Maggie Baxter and Ruth Beni. Directed by Peter Baynton.

Police target people smugglers behind sex trade

Brothel owners ferried women in a cage for £1m business

A couple who made more than £1 million a year from four brothels in London suburbs were facing jail today.

Kerb Crawlers Targeted

Kerb crawlers will be arrested - Dozens of kerb crawlers have been targeted in a crackdown on prostitution in Preston

Men sold as Sex Slaves in Scotland

Child Traffickers targeted

The leaders of a child-trafficking operation that put hundreds of beggars on the streets of Britain were targeted in a series of raids today in a remote Romanian town where opulent mansions have sprung up since the country joined the European Union.

Directive on Trafficking

A Proposal for a Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims, repealing Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA

BBC Special Reports - slavery

Good old BBC - this is a great jump off point to see what is happening around human trafficking. Take a look around, but more than that email the BBC to congratulate them on doing this and please let us know if you get a reply BBC

Olympic Problem

The London 2012 Games could become a magnet for prostitutes trafficked from Eastern Europe by criminal gangs, it is feared.

Teenager Rescued

A teenage girl, believed to be a victim of human traffickers, has been rescued during a police operation in north Belfast.

BBC POINTS WEST INTERVIEW

Watch our director on BBC Bristol news talking about Human Trafficking

SHORT FILM OVER 18's ONLY

This short film shows the horror and realities of human trafficking.

Commonwealth Games

Robert Brown, the Scottish Lib Dems' justice spokesman, believes funds should be made available to tackle sex trafficking before and during the games.

Sex Trafficking Gang Jailed

A gang who trafficked a woman from Romania have been jailed.

We can stop trafficking [pdf]

The Bristol Evening Post cover human trafficking and talk to unseen(uk) about raising awareness. Bristol Evening Post

Police poised to launch people trafficking unit

POLICE will set up Scotland's first unit to combat people trafficking after stinging criticism of their failure to secure a single conviction for the crime.