All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is one the top three most lucrative manifestations of organised crime - along with drug dealing and the arms trade.

Human Trafficking is a fundamental assault on basic human dignity. It affects millions of men, women and children throughout the world. More than twice as many people are in bondage in the world today as were taken in chains during the entire 350 years of the African Slave Trade. Over 100 000 of which are in Europe, 1 in 8 are in the United Kingdom, some British, many European.

Human Trafficking includes Debt Bondage, Domestic Slavery, Child Labour as well as the more well known Sex Industry and it takes place throughout the UK - often in peaceful looking suburbia. Cases of Human Trafficking have recently been identified as close to home as Birmingham, as well as Worthing, Northampton, Ipswich, Dundee, Plymouth, Exeter, Colchester, Nottingham, Belfast, Edinburgh, Paignton and London.

I am proud to be a member of the APPG on Human Trafficking. The aims are to:

- raise awareness of the extent and dangers of Human Trafficking (modern day slavery) in the 21st century.
- encourage parliamentarians throughout Europe to take concerted action
- identify and push for practical solutions
- foster parliamentary cooperation across borders and so spearhead new initiatives
- ensure that victims of trafficking have the proper support measures as outlined in the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking and not be forced to return home against their wishes

More details about modern day slavery and the work of the Group at www.allpartygrouphumantrafficking.org.