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23 April - Ann-Marie Douglas of Salvation Army presents six-month report of its activity

under the Government’s victim protection scheme — Since July 2011, The Salvation

Army has built a network of victim care providers and now has twelve sub-contractors—

NGOs in place in England and Wales. Since the start of the contract, 190 people have

been supported by the service. The service includes: secure accommodation; psycho-

logical and material assistance; medical treatment; and counseling. These services are

provided for a minimum of 45 days – “reflection period”, and longer where needed. The

capacity of the network has increased with over 100 bed spaces available for trafficked

persons, men and women at any time. A proportion of the overall capacity is contracted

on a spot purchase basis. This is more cost effective and helps to manage fluctuations

in demand on the service. The Salvation Army also provides more than 1,000 volun-

teer-drivers across the network who can be uasked to transport victims to safety when

rescued.

More about the Salvation Army’s activity at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/Trafficking

30 April—Klara Skrivankova and Rachel Annison present the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG) Report on pre-

venting human trafficking in the UK.

The ATMG has set out to publish subsequent thematic reports assessing selected as-

pects of anti-trafficking efforts covered by the Convention of the Council of Europe,

which came into force in 2009 in the UK. The first report was published in 2010, as-

sessing the Government’s compliance with the Convention.

This year the research focused on prevention and found that in the UK “there has been

little to no meaningful engagement in the area of prevention”. Some areas of good

practice have been identified, especially at regional and local levels. The key recommen-

dations include better coordination and evaluation of prevention activities that should

be conducted strategically and in a targeted manner; knowledge and skills of public

officials need to be improved, as well as action at the border; prevention of child traf-

ficking should be targeted separately.

Full report at: http://www.antislavery.org/

T H E S A L V A T I O N A R M Y A N D T H E A N T I -

T R A F F I C K I N G M O N I T O R I N G G R O U P P R E S E N T

T H E I R R E P O R T S T O P A R L I A M E N T A R I A N S

30 May 2012 ISSUE 3

Joint Chairmen: Peter Bone MP, Baroness Butler-Sloss

Vice Chairmen: Michael Connarty MP, Baroness Nicholson, Margot James MP

Joint Treasurers: Angie Bray MP, Baroness Goudie, Mark Durkan MP

Joint Secretaries: Emma Reynolds MP, Elizabeth Truss MP, Andrew Selous MP

OFFICERS OF THE APPG ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

On Wednesday, 18 April, the Polish Parliament hosted the

fourth event of the Parliamentarians Against Human Traffick-

ing (PAHT) project, a one day parliamentary seminar on the

different ways of implementation of National Referral Mecha-

nism for victims.

Parliamentarians from across Europe travelled to Poland to

meet with Polish experts and NGOs on trafficking, where they

discussed a variety of topics relating to National Referral

Mechanisms and how parliamentarians can continue to work

together effectively to tackle human trafficking.

The event kicked off with a welcome address by Mr. Krzysztof

Kwiatkowski, Polish Minister of Justice. This was followed by

contributions from Jessica Glover, Deputy Head of Mission at

the British Embassy, Warsaw, and Anthony Steen, Chairman

of the Human Trafficking Foundation. Mariana Katzarova,

Senior Advisor on Anti-Trafficking Issues at OSCE/ODIHR,

then delivered a keynote speech on how the National Referral

Mechanism contributes to better protection and assistance of

victims of trafficking.

After a short press briefing, Baroness Butler-Sloss

GBE (UK) chaired a session on how parliamentari-

ans can best build up a network of parliamentarians

in each EU Member State. With contributions from

Radek John MP (Czech Republic), Magdalena Va-

saryova MP (Slovakia), Maria Paula Cardoso MP

(Portugal), Arminas Lydeka MP (Lithuania) and

Mailis Reps MP (Estonia) – as well as Robert Bie-

dron

MP and Ryszard Kalisz MP from Poland – parlia-

mentarians from across the EU shared their con-

trasting experiences of developing awareness of

trafficking in their parliaments.

The afternoon session focused on co-operation be-

tween NGOs and law enforcement agencies regard-

ing referral of victims of trafficking. The session fea-

tured contributions from key Polish stakeholders in

this area – including Piotr Mierecki (Ministry of Inte-

rior), Irena Dawid-Olczyk (National Consulting and

Intervention Centre for Victims of Trafficking), Colo-

nel Tomasz Semeniuk (Border Guards) and Inspec-

tor Monika Sokolowska (Anti-Trafficking Unit – Po-

lice Headquarters).

You can read short reports of the seminar and see some

pictures, as well as access project resources on the pro-

20-21 June 2012 — A study visit to Finland

September 2012 — A sub-regional seminar in Portugal

Details to be announced in the following issues of the Newsletter and at www.paht.eu

P A R L A M E N T A R I A N S D I S C U S S

B E S T P R A C T I C E S O F T H E

N A T I O N A L R E F E R R A L

M E C H A N I S M I N W A R S A W

U P - C O M I N G E V E N T S :

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P A R L I A M E N T A R I A N S A G A I N S T H U M A N T R A F F I C K I N G

The project is implemented by

ECPAT UK in partnership with

Human Trafficking Foundation

and the Asociatia High Level

Group for Children (Romania),

and funded by the European

Commission and co-funded by

the Tudor Trust.

Stana Buchowska , Project Coordinator, Anthony Steen, Chairman of the Foundation,

Leszek Miller, former Prime Minister of Poland, Baroness Elizabeth Butler -Sloss,

Co-Chairman of the APPG, Ryszard Kalisz MP, Former Home Secretary

Jessica Glover, Deputy of the British Ambassador,

Anthony Steen, Chairman of the Foundation,

Robert Biedron, Minister of Justice

On 15 May the Assembly All Party on Human Trafficking was launched in Stormont,

Chaired by Anna Lo MLA. The speakers included Anna Lo MLA, David Ford, Justice

Minister, Baroness Butler-Sloss, Co-Chair of APPG on Human Trafficking at Westmin-

ster, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International Adviser and Anthony Steen of the Hu-

man Trafficking Foundation.

The group has been established to promote effective action against trafficking for

sexual and labour exploitation, an increasing problem across in Northern Ireland. It is

meant also to work to ensure proper identification and sufficient protection is af-

forded to victims.

In her opening statement, Anna Lo said: “Today is a great step forward in our fight

against human trafficking. Assembly members from all parties are committed to mak-

ing Northern Ireland a hostile place for traffickers. We will proactively address gaps in

our systems here to bring about the change that is needed to end modern day slav-

ery”.

Adults and children are known to be trafficked into Northern Ireland for sexual exploi-

tation, for various forms of labour exploitation and for criminal activity including illegal

drug production, fraud and theft.

The Assembly All Party Group aims to tackle the problem through awareness-raising,

building co-operation with parliamentary counterparts in England, Scotland, Wales

and Republic of Ireland and by monitoring and advocating changes in law, policy and

practice. Anna Lo MLA said: “We will seek to establish links and joint working with the

Group at Westminster and we are particularly delighted to have Lady Butler-Sloss, its

co-Chair with us today”.

Mr. Anthony Steen, Chair of the Human Trafficking Foundation said: “This really was

the most exciting development in our fight to drive out the modern day slavery from

our islands!”

On 26 April Members of the Scottish Parliament held a meeting to discuss the current situation on human traffick-

ing and to consider how best for Parliamentarians and other stakeholders to take issues forward. The meeting

was organized and chaired by Mrs Jenny Marra MSP.

Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the Co-Chairman of the APPG gave the keynote

speech about and Human trafficking activity in Parliament and the importance of

tackling modern day slavery. She addressed a busy meeting and spoke about how

the group had managed to raise awareness of human trafficking and emerging is-

sues. She urged MSPs to work together to address the complex issue.

Lady Butler-Sloss said: “It is such a pleasure to see so many MSPs interested in the

subject. I do hope you’ll feel that a group in the Scottish Parliament focused solely on

human trafficking would do much to further our common cause: to bring an end to

this evil trade”.

Jenny Marra MSP agreed that a cross party group should be established and this was

warmly welcomed.

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N O R T H E R N I R E L A N D A S S E M B L Y L A U N C H E S A L L P A R T Y G R O U P O N

H U M A N T R A F F I C K I N G

S C O T T I S H P A R L I A M E N T H E L D A M E E T I N G T O D I S C U S S C U R R E N T

H U M A N T R A F F I C K I N G S I T U A T I O N I N S C O T L A N D .

Mrs Jenny Marra MSP,

Chair of the meeting

“Today is a great step forward in our fight against

human trafficking. Assembly members from all

parties are committed to making Northern Ireland a

hostile place for traffickers. We will

proactively address gaps in our systems here to bring about the change that is

needed to end this modern day slavery”,

stated Anna Lo MLA, the Chair of the Assembly APG

on Human Trafficking

0207 219 3492, bonep@parliament.uk House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

The All Party Group on Human Trafficking is specially advised by Anthony Steen and Secretariat is ECPAT UK End Child Prostitution,

Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children.

OBJECTIVE: "To raise awareness of the scale and effects of human traffick-

ing into the UK and the EU; and to seek solutions to reduce supply and de-

mand; and to improve welfare provisions for victims."

The Group aims to hold the Government to account, to ensure better training for the

police, and greater awareness for those involved with border protection. It is com-

mitted, above all, to ensuring victims of trafficking are given proper help, consistent

with the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Be-

ings. We are on the Web! www.allpartygrouphumantrafficking.org

H O U S E S O F

P A R L I A M E N T

We are very aware of the fact that once in the United Kingdom victims can be

taken anywhere. Increasingly, criminal gangs operating across borders are being

replicated by home grown gangs operating within the UK. This is leading to a

situation where victims, mostly but not exclusively, young and vulnerable girls, are

being groomed to be trafficked around the country. There is therefore a need for

networks of interested parties to support the work of the Police and border authorities

across the country. I decided to supplement my work as Vice Chair of the APPG by

getting involved in the West Midlands Regional Anti Trafficking Network.

The RAT comprises representatives from law enforcement and legal services, local

authorities, health care, education, social care providers and myself as an MP. The

RAT works closely with the Regional Missing, Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking

Group, Regional Safeguarding Network and the UK Borders Agency’s regional team.

The RAT has acknowledged the benefit of having regional accommodation for victims.

When an individual is identified as a potential victim of trafficking then UKBA liaise

with Sandwell Women’s Aid and they can be cared for under the remit of the same

regional team.

Social workers are often not aware of the risk of sexual exploitation. The Department

of Education have issued guidance on safeguarding children who may have been trafficked. At the moment best

estimates in the West Midlands indicate that 75% of safeguarding boards are not following this guidance so there is

work for the RAT to do with social work and local authority representatives.

Meanwhile there are regular events across the West Midlands to raise awareness. The Children’s Society is very ac-

tive and Aston University Business School is involved in a programme to combat labour trafficking which is a growing

problem in the region.

By Margot James MP

M S . M A R G O T J A M E S M P — A C T I V E M E M B E R O F

T H E W E S T M I D L A N D S R E G I O N A L A N T I -

T R A F F I C K I N G N E T W O R K ( R A T )

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This Newsletter was prepared by:

Tatiana Jardan

Editor & Designer

James Newhall

Editor-in-Chief

Special Thanks for support to

Anthony Steen and Tamlin Vickers

of the Human Trafficking

Foundation!

Ms Margot James MP, Vice -Chair of

the APPG on Human Trafficking

A P P G U P - C O M I N G E V E N T :

18 June, 5pm — Annual General Meeting, Committee Room 16, House of Commons

The purpose of the Annual General Meetings is to re/elect the Officers and Secre-

tariat NG0. The meeting is open only to the Members of Parliament.

Dear colleagues, if any of

the West Midlands MPs

would like to get involved

and support the work of the

RAT net work, please, con-

tact me at:

margot.james.mp@parliame

nt.uk. I will put you in touch

with the organizers.