Crime Reduction Toolkits

Trafficking of People

Risk

Off-street prostitution has traditionally been an area of the sex industry that has been subject to minimal monitoring. As such, the risk of detection for traffickers is low. Equally, it is a difficult area to bring prosecutions – victims are wary of providing evidence for fear of reprisals and through fear of the legal system. When prosecutions have been brought it has been difficult to gain sentences with sufficient deterrent to offset the potential gains for traffickers.

‘Internationally, and the UK is no exception, trafficking people is a less risky activity for criminals than trafficking in drugs. The maximum sentences in most jurisdictions are seldom as long for people as for drug trafficking. The lower potential costs and higher profits, especially where the traffic is for the purpose of prostitution, have acted as powerful incentives to organised crime, smaller networks and '‘enterprising'’ individuals.’[1]

It has also been suggested by enforcement agencies that the UK is a particularly attractive destination for the traffickers due to the fact that there is no identity card system.

New UK legislation under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 does, however, introduce new offences under which traffickers can be prosecuted for trafficking in people for the purpose of prostitution. These include tougher maximum sentences of up to 14 years imprisonment. The Sexual Offences Bill introduces comprehensive measures to criminalise trafficking for sexual exploitation more generally within, in and out of the UK.

[1] Kelly & Regan 2000 p5