Opinion - Could attention to victim's rights lead to more convictions?

Could attention to the rights of trafficking victims lead to the conviction of more traffickers?  

Estimates suggest that 50 victims of human trafficking are discovered in the UK every month; although it is likely that many more cases go unreported due to the underground nature of the industry.  

A positive initiative, launched by the police, witnessed the introduction of a free phone line for the victims of human trafficking, in June, in an effort to encourage victims to report the crimes and consequently lead to the better identification of human trafficking networks and conviction of those responsible.

To ensure the success of this phone line, however, it is fundamental that further attention is placed on victim rights. The state’s failure to undertake protective measures to prevent their repatriation, when safe return to their country of origin is not guaranteed, undermines efforts to identify victims of human trafficking and obtain evidence to convict traffickers. Additionally, it compromises the protection, care and redress that these victims of human rights violations should be entitled to.

Victims of human trafficking, who have been rescued from their traffickers or managed to escape, almost always fear that their trafficker will track them down. Obtaining evidence from an individual who has no guarantee whether they will be returned to their country of origin and possibly back into the hands of their trafficker may, understandably, be unwilling to provide substantial evidence in fear of the repercussions.   

Katya, aged eighteen, was trafficked into the UK and forced into prostitution. The brothel she was held in was raided and she was arrested. Following threats from her trafficker stating that her family would be in danger if she said anything Katya chose not to disclose her full story. Immigration, aware she had been trafficked, later decided she would not be in danger if returned to Moldova. Upon her return her traffickers tracked her down.

"They took me to a forest and I was beaten and raped. Then they made a noose out of rope and told me to dig my own grave as I was going to be killed. They tied the noose around my neck and let me hang before cutting the branch off the tree. I really believed I was going to die. They then drove me to a house where many men were staying. They were all very drunk and took turns to rape me. When I tried to resist, one man physically restrained me and pulled my front tooth out using pliers." Katya's story: trafficked to the UK, sent home to torture” - Guardian.

Katya was then re-trafficked. This case highlights the vulnerability of victims and the dangers they are subjected to when British immigration decide to repatriate them. It also demoralizes victim faith in seeking assistance and support through UK systems.  

The practice of human trafficking violates the most fundamental human rights; the right to equality, dignity, security and life; the right to freedom of movement, freedom from violence and the right to health. Every individual, who has been subjected to such grave human rights violations, must be entitled to absolute protection from further persecution and offered remedy and redress. More time and attention placed on identifying victims and protecting and supporting them would likely lead to access to more substantial evidence on trafficking networks. Respecting victim rights would increase confidence in the British system and allow victims to confidently come forward, report the crimes and identify their traffickers.