PRESS RELEASE - Anti-trafficking charity CARE welcomes the publication of the long-awaited Modern Slavery Bill which, in contrast with an earlier version, has a new focus on the victims of human trafficking thanks to the tenacity of campaigners.

The Draft Bill, published in December, concentrated on increasing the number of prosecutions and convictions for human trafficking and slavery offences. The subsequent Modern Slavery Bill brings together all the offences for human trafficking and forced labour, increases sentences and creates new civil orders that aim to prevent human trafficking and slavery crimes by restricting the activities of convicted or suspected traffickers.

However, following the pre-legislative scrutiny process the Government has made a number of additions to the Bill that CARE has been calling for, including:

• Provision of specialist child trafficking advocates for trafficked children via an enabling clause
• Specific mention of support and assistance for victims, including the extension of support to victims of forced labour as well as human trafficking
• Measures to prevent the punishment of victims of human trafficking for crimes they have been compelled to commit by their traffickers
• Better access for victims to compensation through new reparation orders.
• Provision of special measures in court for victims of forced labour

Louise Gleich, CARE’s Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Policy Officer, said:

“The fact that the Bill now brings victims into the heart of the legislation is a big step towards making this the ground-breaking law that the Government has been heralding. We are particularly pleased that the needs of child victims have been recognised, and we urge the Government to ensure child trafficking advocates are empowered to support trafficked children effectively.

“When it passes this will be Westminster’s first dedicated Act of Parliament on modern day slavery for over a hundred and fifty years. We owe it to those who are the victims of this terrible exploitation to get it right.”

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For further information please contact James Wilmshurst on mob: 07581 153693 or email: james.wilmshurst@care.org.uk

Notes to Editors

The full text of the Modern Slavery Bill can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2014-2015/0008/15008.pdf

CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) is a well-established mainstream Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives. CARE is represented in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies, at the EU in Brussels and the UN in Geneva and New York. CARE is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales at 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF, Company No: 3481417, Charity No: 1066963, Scottish Charity No: SC038911 Website: www.care.org.uk

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