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In response to today's (Thursday 14 May) Home Affairs Committee
report on human trafficking, Klara Skrivankova, Trafficking Programme
Co-ordinator for Anti-Slavery International, which submitted evidence
to the Parliamentary Inquiry, said:
"The Home Affairs Committee is right to recognise that
human trafficking is the equivalent of the modern day slave trade.
"As such it is imperative that trafficked people are recognised
immediately as the victims of serious crime. For too long trafficking
has been dismissed as an immigration issue and accompanied by a
culture of disbelief amongst the authorities.
"Police and judges need to be better trained so that they
can recognise trafficked women in sexual exploitation, people trafficked
to work without pay on farms and factories, and those involved in
criminal enterprise against their will, including children forced
into cannabis cultivation or pick-pocketing.
"The best way to prevent the UK from being an attractive
destination for traffickers is to introduce robust protection measures,
ensure proper compensation for victims and vigorously pursue the
prosecution of the criminal gangs behind the trade in human beings.
"Criminals are making millions from the misery of vulnerable
people. Their assets should be confiscated and used to fund compensation
for trafficked people to help them rebuild their lives.
"Though no amount of money can make up for the nightmare
of slavery, compensation plays an important role in helping trafficked
people recover from the physical, emotional and financial losses
of their ordeal as well as providing a sense of justice."
For further press information contact or to arrange an interview
with Klara Skrivankova: Paul Donohoe, Anti-Slavery International
Press Officer, on 44 (0)20 7501 8934/07779 624 385 p.donohoe@antislavery.org
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