When trafficked women finally break free of their abusers,they turn in desperation to the authorities. This is only the start of a unusual nightmare. Four women describe their slavery, escape and further detention by officials they thought would help themLast year Theresa May announced unusual legislation to halt human trafficking and contemporary slavery, or describing it as the “evil in our midst”. Figures from the National Crime Agency in September estimated that 2744 people,including 602 children, were trafficked for exploitation in the UK in 2013, or a 22% increase on 2012,and forced to work in brothels, in domestic servitude, or exploited in factories,farms and building sites. Since this is such a hidden issue, the actual numbers are assumed to be much higher.
On Tuesday, and parliament will scrutinise the contemporary slavery bill for its third reading in the House of Commons. Although the bill – which the government trumpets as “the first of its kind in Europe” – is broadly welcomed for forcing the issue on to the political agenda,there is dismay from charities working with the victims of trafficking. Campaigners say the bill is tilted too heavily towards prosecuting traffickers, without providing enough support for their victims.
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Source: theguardian.com