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Modern slavery bill to be published Modern slavery bill to be published
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Anti-slavery laws that will see human traffickers given maximum life sentences in jail are being published on Monday, the Home Office has confirmed.Anti-slavery laws that will see human traffickers given maximum life sentences in jail are being published on Monday, the Home Office has confirmed.
The modern slavery bill contains provisions to give automatic life sentences to offenders who already have convictions for very serious sexual or violent offences.The modern slavery bill contains provisions to give automatic life sentences to offenders who already have convictions for very serious sexual or violent offences.
The draft bill, announced by the home secretary, Theresa May, at the Conservative party conference in September, pulls together into a single act the offences used to prosecute slave drivers.The draft bill, announced by the home secretary, Theresa May, at the Conservative party conference in September, pulls together into a single act the offences used to prosecute slave drivers.
Human trafficking charity Hope for Justice said ensuring victims were properly supported was essential to successfully prosecuting offenders. The human trafficking charity Hope for Justice said ensuring victims were properly supported was essential to successfully prosecuting offenders.
Charity founder Ben Cooley said: "We've learnt from experience that victim welfare is inextricably linked to the prosecution of perpetrators. When victims are supported from rescue right through to the courtroom, their testimonies make all the difference in seeing justice served. Sadly, we don't always see that happen in the UK and Hope for Justice exists to stand in those gaps. The charity founder Ben Cooley said: "We've learned from experience that victim welfare is inextricably linked to the prosecution of perpetrators. When victims are supported from rescue right through to the courtroom, their testimonies make all the difference in seeing justice served. Sadly, we don't always see that happen in the UK and Hope for Justice exists to stand in those gaps.
"This bill is a critical step towards ending slavery in our country but going forwards we must all ensure that victims are supported so they don't disappear on the other side of initial after-care provision just to be re-trafficked.""This bill is a critical step towards ending slavery in our country but going forwards we must all ensure that victims are supported so they don't disappear on the other side of initial after-care provision just to be re-trafficked."
The bill also introduces Trafficking Prevention Orders to restrict the activity and movement of convicted traffickers and stop them from committing further offences The bill also introduces Trafficking Prevention Orders to restrict the activity and movement of convicted traffickers and stop them from committing further offences.
A new anti-slavery commissioner will be appointed to hold law enforcement and other organisations to account.A new anti-slavery commissioner will be appointed to hold law enforcement and other organisations to account.
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