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Too many human traffickers escape justice in UK, says solicitor general Too many human traffickers escape justice in UK, says solicitor general
(4 months later)
Too few of the human traffickers who force women to work in the sex trade and children to labour in cannabis farms are being prosecuted in the UK, according to the solicitor general, Oliver Heald QC.Too few of the human traffickers who force women to work in the sex trade and children to labour in cannabis farms are being prosecuted in the UK, according to the solicitor general, Oliver Heald QC.
More than 1,180 victims of trafficking were identified last year, and in the previous year only 39 people were prosecuted for trafficking offences, he said.More than 1,180 victims of trafficking were identified last year, and in the previous year only 39 people were prosecuted for trafficking offences, he said.
"We can see that there is work to be done to support the proper investigation of these crimes," Heald told a meeting of the social and economic thinktank Politeia. "Make no mistake, we are constantly reviewing how we in government tackle this evil which threatens the liberties of millions and is a new form of slavery.""We can see that there is work to be done to support the proper investigation of these crimes," Heald told a meeting of the social and economic thinktank Politeia. "Make no mistake, we are constantly reviewing how we in government tackle this evil which threatens the liberties of millions and is a new form of slavery."
As a global industry, human trafficking is worth in excess of $32bn (£20bn) a year. The means to prevent it must also be global, Heald said. The UK currently pays for criminal justice advisers – who are Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors – to be stationed in 17 countries overseas.As a global industry, human trafficking is worth in excess of $32bn (£20bn) a year. The means to prevent it must also be global, Heald said. The UK currently pays for criminal justice advisers – who are Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors – to be stationed in 17 countries overseas.
Nigeria is one of the main sources of those trafficked into Britain. Last year 205 Nigerian victims were identified in the UK.Nigeria is one of the main sources of those trafficked into Britain. Last year 205 Nigerian victims were identified in the UK.
"Victims are primarily women and girls who are exploited in the sex industry and domestic servitude, not always here in the UK but sometimes pass through en-route to the sex trade in Europe," he said."Victims are primarily women and girls who are exploited in the sex industry and domestic servitude, not always here in the UK but sometimes pass through en-route to the sex trade in Europe," he said.
"These may have paid as much as €70 000 [£60,000] for their passage to Europe, a debt which enforces their enslavement. A significant means of controlling these women and girls is through a form of witchcraft which is common in some communities across west Africa."These may have paid as much as €70 000 [£60,000] for their passage to Europe, a debt which enforces their enslavement. A significant means of controlling these women and girls is through a form of witchcraft which is common in some communities across west Africa.
"A ceremony serves as a blessing on the trip abroad, and at the same time the victim also promises to repay their debts for the cost of the trip.""A ceremony serves as a blessing on the trip abroad, and at the same time the victim also promises to repay their debts for the cost of the trip."
Vietnamese youths are trafficked into cannabis farms to cultivate the plants, often with street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds, Heald added.Vietnamese youths are trafficked into cannabis farms to cultivate the plants, often with street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds, Heald added.
"The first time it comes to the attention of the authorities is when the victims themselves are arrested charged and prosecuted."The first time it comes to the attention of the authorities is when the victims themselves are arrested charged and prosecuted.
"The CPS has issued legal guidance to advise prosecutors of the steps they should take to ensure that full enquiries are made in these cases and, if information shows that they have been trafficked, the case against them should be discontinued.""The CPS has issued legal guidance to advise prosecutors of the steps they should take to ensure that full enquiries are made in these cases and, if information shows that they have been trafficked, the case against them should be discontinued."
The court of appeal recently examined a case in which five victims of trafficking had been convicted of growing cannabis. At the initial trial prosecutors were unaware that they were victims of trafficking.The court of appeal recently examined a case in which five victims of trafficking had been convicted of growing cannabis. At the initial trial prosecutors were unaware that they were victims of trafficking.
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