1. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org Copyright SOCAPROTECTIVE MARKING United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre Liam Vernon – Deputy Head Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales Rome - 7 th May 2012

2. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org What does the UKHTC do? Victim Care Co-ordinate the provision of a full care programme for the victim inc. secure accommodation, medical/psychological support, food and subsistence. Advice available 24/7/365 Tactical/Operational Advisors Provide advice in pre-planned operations or “live” advice in retrospective investigations to aid the disruption/prosecution of identified offenders Advice available 24/7/365 Intelligence gathering & Intelligence analysis Acts as the central repository for intelligence relating to trafficking which receives and disseminates intelligence products. Develops intelligence to pass to law enforcement for disruption/prosecution of identified offenders. Co-ordination / liaison between UK law enforcement A co-ordinated multi-agency approach to tackle the problem

3. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org Forms of Trafficking seen in UK Sexual Exploitation Domestic Servitude Child Exploitation Organ / Tissue Harvesting Labour Exploitation Criminal Exploitation

4. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings Came into force April 2009 UK has two ‘Competent Authorities’, with trained case owners who make decisions on whether someone is a victim of trafficking. UKHTC - for UK / EU Nationals and persons with a legal right to be in the UK UK Border Agency - for any person with immigration or asylum issues

5. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org Victim Referrals in UK 1 April 2009 – 31 Dec 2011 (2211) 2011 946 referrals (35% increase on 2010) Female 634 67% Male 31233% Minors 234 25% Sexual Exploitation298 adult 96 minors (42%) Labour Exploitation213 adult 119 minors (35%) Domestic Servitude 119 adults 42 minors (17%)

6. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org 2011 Victim Data Trends - UK Nigeria – almost exclusively females subjected to sex exploitation and domestic servitude. Vietnam – males for labour exploitation and females for sexual exploitation. Romania – Adult labour exploitation and female sexual exploitation. China – Adult labour exploitation and adult female sexual exploitation. Slovakia – almost exclusively adult labour exploitation. UK – Minor female sexual exploitation and adult male labour exploitation.

7. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org Nigeria – Human Trafficking from a UK perspective Between April 2009 and March 2012 Nigeria has consistently been the most identified nationality for referrals of victims. 298 adults and 85 children. Mainly young women between 17 and 30 years from Edo State and Delta State are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation Also minors for domestic servitude. From poor socio-cultural backgrounds; economic hardship; encouraged to travel to Europe for a better life Forced into sex trade by physical and psychological violence and also by the use “juju” rites, a form of voodoo which is well established in West African countries and/or by contract oaths. These are performed by traditional or religious practitioners to guarantee the payment of the debt the victim has incurred for her journey to the EU, a debt which may range between 40.000 – 60.000 EUR according to investigations in European countries. UK as a transit country for Italy/ Spain/ France for sex trade

8. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org Nigeria – Solutions? Coordinated multi-disciplinary approach – within UK, EU and UN institutions To prevent To protect To identify and prosecute/ disrupt criminals Prevention & Awareness in the right communities by organisations that will impact Faith based NGO’s/ Charities – grass roots communities Media – What is often the reality of a new life in Europe? Support mechanism for re-trafficked victims and those vulnerable to trafficking Political level coordination and support Alternatives – education, employment

9. Not Protectively Marked © All rights reserved UKHTC www.blueblindfold.co.ukwww.ukhtc.org Copyright SOCAPROTECTIVE MARKING © Copyright SOCA At the worst time in their lives, the very least we can do is our very best. Its in your hands.