Trans-border sex trafficking: identifying cases and victims in the UK

Abstract

There is evidence of a significant level of human trafficking for sexual exploitation in the UK. Trafficking victims have been found in cities and in small communities across the UK, and their experiences have included a level of brutality that is shocking. The UK is not complacent about the efforts required to stop people from being trafficked for exploitation or punishing the perpetrators and will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders and key agencies as well as supporting source countries in tackling the issues that stimulate the demand for human trafficking. Attempts have been made by the UK government to crack down on trafficking gangs, and some victims have been offered a range of support services. Tackling human trafficking in all its forms is vital and the UK is committed to continually testing its response to lessen the threat. Although the UK has already attained significant progress to combat trafficking, it recognises that any response must be able to quickly adapt and extend to keep pace with the traffickers. Three key areas have been identified where further concerted effort is needed to improve and strengthen the UK’s approach – data capture and intelligence sharing, training and awareness raising for frontline professionals and coordinating prevention activities.

Keywords:

• women and children
• victims
• sexual exploitation
• traffickers
• crime

Acknowledgement

The author is indebted to Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK for sponsoring the visit to execute this research in UK under Commonwealth Academic Fellowship Plan 2013–2014.