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Jake Berry MP Backs Government Work to Tackle Human Trafficking

Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, was pleased to back the Government's work to tackle human trafficking.

This week a reception was held at Number 10 Downing Street to mark Anti-Slavery Day, and to encourage awareness of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. The day was established last year following the campaigning work of the Conservative former-MP, Anthony Steen.

Human trafficking is a brutal form of organised crime where women, children and men are treated as commodities and exploited for criminal gain. In July the Government published a Human Trafficking Strategy to address the crime by supporting victims and fighting traffickers.

The Strategy focuses on four core themes:

1. improving identification and care of victims - the aim is to ensure victims receive support tailored to their needs but also to prevent people becoming victims in the first place
2. enhancing our ability to act early before harm reaches the UK - the Government is working to deter and disrupt trafficking overseas
3. smarter action at the border - strengthening our border controls and policing will make it harder for traffickers to enter the UK
4. more coordination of our law enforcement efforts - the establishment of the National Crime Agency in 2013 will create a Border Police Command to improve immigration controls and crack down on trafficking.

ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) handed over
735,000 petition signatures to the government in May this year,
fighting for a change in the law to offer greater protection to
children and young people who are victims of trafficking

Government has also protected £2 million of annual funding for two years for victims of trafficking. In addition, all UKBA front line staff have been given training to ensure they are aware of human trafficking and child protection issues.

Commenting Jake Berry MP said:

"Human trafficking is something that appals people across Rossendale and Darwen and I'm pleased to back this Government's work to tackle this terrible crime.

"The UK must not be a safe haven for trafficking and those who traffic women, children or men must be pursued and brought to justice.

"The Government's Human Trafficking Strategy and the new National Crime Agency's Border Police Command will help focus action on this issue."

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Comments

Christine Smith

At 23:51 on 26th October 2011, Christine Smith responded:

In May this year, I was priviledged to be part of the team that supported the handing over of in excess of 735,000 petition signatures to the governement, the largest petition to be presented to the coalition government.
ECPAT is campaigning for a change in the law which will see children and young people who are victims of trafficking be offered greater protection by means of a system of guardianship.
Thanks to those people in Rossendale who signed the petition.

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