United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre
Liam Vernon – Deputy Head
Catholic Bishops Conference of
England and Wales
Rome - 7th May 2012
Copyright SOCA
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
PROTECTIVE MARKING
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.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
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.ukhtc.org
Forms of Trafficking
seen in UK
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sexual Exploitation
Domestic Servitude
Child Exploitation
Organ / Tissue Harvesting
Labour Exploitation
Criminal Exploitation
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.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
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.ukhtc.org
Victim Referrals in UK
1 April 2009 – 31 Dec 2011 (2211)
2011 946 referrals (35% increase on 2010)
Female 634
67%
Male
312
33%
Minors 234
25%
Sexual Exploitation
298 adult 96 minors (42%)
Labour Exploitation
213 adult 119 minors (35%)
Domestic Servitude
119 adults 42 minors (17%)
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.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.
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.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
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.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
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.ukhtc.org
At the worst time in
their lives, the very
least we can do is our
very best.
Its in your hands.
© Copyright SOCA
Copyright SOCA
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
Not Protectively Marked
PROTECTIVE MARKING
© All rights reserved UKHTC
www.ukhtc.org