Press Release - In the wake of the recent Rochdale trafficking ring convictions, new legislation to protect child victims of trafficking

Campaigning Tory Peer, Lord McColl of Dulwich will today introduce an important Anti-Trafficking Bill in the House of Lords. Amidst growing concerns about the trafficking of girls in the UK after last week’s convictions of nine men in Rochdale, it comes not a moment too soon.

Lord McColl has been tenaciously making the case for enhancing British trafficking laws for some time now. Throughout the last year he has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that between 2007 and 2010, of the 942 child victims of trafficking in the UK, a staggering 301 were lost.[1] We are currently failing child victims of trafficking in the UK, both in identifying them as trafficked – as evidenced by the recent case in Rochdale – and in protecting those who have been identified.

In February, Lord McColl secured a commitment from Home Office minister, Lord Henley, that the Children’s Commissioner would conduct a review of the care currently afforded rescued child victims of trafficking in order to make recommendations about how it could be enhanced.[2] This is a step in the right direction. The new McColl Bill makes provision for Britain to emulate international best practice and appoint each rescued child victim of trafficking with a legal advocate from the moment a child is identified as a victim.

Other elements in the Bill include: a much more robust definition of trafficking offences; the non-prosecution of victims of trafficking for crimes committed when under duress; and the proper provision of assistance and support for trafficking victims, including appropriate and safe accommodation and translation services and the right to apply for compensation. The Bill also proposes that Britain falls into line with best practice with respect to the provision of a ‘Human Trafficking National Rapporteur’, the internationally recognised means of assessing the trafficking situation within the UK. Current mechanisms fail the crucial test of independence from government.

Commenting on his Bill, Lord McColl said, ‘It is a matter of great national pride that in 1807 and 1833 Britain took the lead in combating slavery. We do so no longer. That Britain is the number one destination for sex trafficking in Europe and that we should have lost 301 rescued child victims of trafficking between 2007-10 beggars belief. It is time to take action. My Bill proposes the way ahead.’

For more information, and the opportunity to interview Lord McColl, please contact Dan Boucher on 07768 165543 or Genevieve Galvin on 07795 332620.

Notes:

1. A Scoping Project on Child Trafficking in the UK, 2007, p. 5 and p. 8., Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP); Strategic Threat Assessment Child Trafficking in the UK, 2009, p. 9 and p. 12, CEOP; and Strategic Threat Assessment Child Trafficking in the UK, 20010, p. 5 and p. 21, CEOP.
2. Lord Henley, Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction, in the debate on The Protection of Freedoms Bill, Amendment 57A, 15 February 2012, Hansard 861. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201212/ldhansrd/text/120215-0002.htm#12021585000186
3. The full title of the McColl Bill is Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Further Provisions and Support for Victims) Bill. It contains 15 Clauses and will be published on the Parliament web site tomorrow. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/
4. Lord McColl CBE is a British surgeon, professor, and Conservative member of the House of Lords. Made a Life Peer for his work for disabled people in 1989, he was Parliamentary Private Secretary to John Major from 1994-97 and Shadow Minister for Health 1997-2000. He is also a trustee and surgeon to the international charity, Mercy Ships. Through his work as a surgeon, Lord McColl came across cases of abuse which lead him to become a passionate advocate against human trafficking and modern day slavery.