Crime Reduction Toolkits

Trafficking of People

Overview

Trafficking in people is an issue that is receiving increased international attention as more evidence of its extent is identified. It is apparent that women and children are being brought into the UK and subjected to abuse for financial gain through sexual exploitation. Currently, more is known about trafficking for sexual exploitation than other forms and therefore much of this toolkit draws on experience gained from efforts to tackle trafficking for sexual exploitation.  However, it is hoped the toolkit will be relevant to those encountering other forms of exploitation.

A number of estimates of the global scale of trafficking in people has been presented in recent years, but the accuracy of these is impossible to establish as so little data is collected. What is clear, however, is that the scale and impact of trafficking is a source of international concern. Risk assessments by UK law enforcement agencies have identified that this impact is likely to be felt in any area of the UK and is not limited solely to large metropolitan areas. It therefore needs to be considered as an issue for all Crime and Disorder Partnerships.

One of the key problems is that the exploitation of victims through trafficking is, by its nature, not readily visible. Much of the sexual exploitation in the UK takes place through off-street prostitution, an area of the sex industry that is not routinely monitored throughout the country. Other forms of exploitation may be even less visible such as domestic service and forms of labour exploitation. As a result there is very little conclusive evidence on the extent of trafficking as a whole, or on the extent of sexual exploitation compared with other forms of labour exploitation.

The UK is a ready target for trafficking activities: there is demand from the sex industry (and other labour markets), there are considerable profits to be made from trafficking and there is currently little in the way of effective practical deterrent from enforcement agencies and the legal system.

Unfortunately this crime is one that thrives on a lack of awareness and a failure to tackle it proactively. Too little is known about the real extent of the problem throughout the UK and this situation will continue until active monitoring and prioritisation of the issue is adopted across all agencies and throughout the country. Efforts taken to address the problem in one part of the country are likely to lead to its displacement to other locations.