By Baroness Massey of Darwen - 27th July 2010
Baroness Massey of Darwen writes for ePolitix.com ahead of her question on child trafficking.
I have asked this question and will be speaking in a debate today on trafficked children. I am chair of the all-party parliamentary group for children.
Trafficked children are very much an unidentified group who need help. The Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group, a coalition of charities who support trafficked children, report that between April and December 2009, 527 potential victims of trafficking were referred to the National Referral mechanism. Of these 74 per cent were women or girls, mostly trafficked for sexual exploitation.
This is the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of children are thought to be trafficked as slaves, to work on cannabis farms or in industries, as well as for sex. Sexual exploitation begins at around 12. Human trafficking is thought to be the third-most profitable organised criminal activity in the world behind weapons and narcotics.
The Monitoring Group points out that in December 2008, the UK ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking, but that there is still much work to be done. There is good practice about, done by charities and local authorities, but it is sporadic and uncoordinated.
I shall ask in this debate for a meeting with the minister, Baroness Verma, who is sympathetic, in order to discuss the recommendations of those organisations who work with trafficked children on issues such as: identification, safe houses, guardianship, prevention and the coordination of services to protect these children.
These are children who cannot protect or defend themselves and who have little support to do so. Sometimes they escape from those who are complicit in the trafficking, but find it difficult to find help unless they are lucky.
Member Response: Legatum Institute
It is estimated that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year across the globe, effecting nearly every country and area of the economy. Human trafficking is a billion dollar global industry which preys on the hope and innocence of the vulnerable resulting in unimaginable exploitation, violence, and destitution for its victims. Men, women and children are bought and sold like cattle and forced into doing hard labour, becoming soldiers, or sold for sex. Many developed countries, including Great Britain, are making progress in their efforts to combat modern-day slavery. However, with the current drive for austerity in the wake of the financial crisis, it is important to maintain and improve our efforts to curb demand and increase effectiveness of programs designed to eradicate this heinous crime. Baroness Massey makes this point in her article when she says that "there is still much work to be done".
Article Comments
Throughout the past year, the Legatum Institute has been supporting the fight against human trafficking by highlighting neglected but important issue areas, particularly those related to demand, which is the key driver to trafficking in persons. Our goal is to bring together government officials from demand countries like the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Romania along with experts, NGO advocates, media, and business leaders to improve collaboration around both policy and practice.
On Wednesday, 15th September 2010, we are hosting a conference in London, Stepping Up The Fight: Tackling Demand for Human Trafficking, aimed at drawing attention to the issue of human trafficking with a particular focus on the demand side of the problem. For more information about this event, please visit www.li.com
Legatum Institute
27th Jul 2010 at 4:06 pm
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