Agenda item

The Committee received a presentation from Tatiana Jardan, Director of the Human Trafficking Foundation (HTF), after which Members had the opportunity to ask questions.

Ms Jardan advised the Committee that modern slavery is a global phenomenon. As a hidden crime, exact numbers were unknown, but it was estimated that 21 million people worldwide were in forced labour and 30 million were enslaved. Members noted an estimated 10-13,000 people in the UK were being exploited, mainly in the South East or Greater London, who were from 96 different countries of origin. UK nationals were also victims of exploitation, both within the country and outside it.

Previous funding received from the City Bridge Trust enabled the HTF to work with survivors, and investigate what happened when they left care shelters. The findings of this research demonstrated that survivors remained vulnerable to further abuse or to being re-trafficked, and the subsequent funding from the Trust was allowing further work to be undertaken to find solutions to support survivors and allow them to gain control over their lives. 

In response to Members’ questions, Ms Jardan reported that, despite being unrecognised five years ago, the numbers of forced labour worldwide now equalled those for sexual exploitation. She also advised that the HTF was in a unique position, with their influential and dedicated Board of Trustees, to raise awareness of these problems and to encourage policy and legislative changes, such as the Modern Slavery Act which took effect from 31 July 2015.  Members noted that the HTF had successfully raised awareness of the problems, particularly in the Police, who now underwent training on modern slavery and had set up multiple Special Police Forces throughout the UK to prevent slavery and help victims.

The Chairman thanked Ms Jardan for her presentation.