EU MUST SUPPORT TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

12.00.00am GMT Mon 22nd Feb 2010

North East Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall is calling on the UK and other EU member states to provide more support for the victims of human trafficking by providing specialist services, protection and temporary residence permits.

Worldwide, 12.3 million people are categorized as 'modern slaves', and each year up to an estimated 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders. Many of those are forced into prostitution.

Speaking on the issue Fiona Hall said:

"The North East is no exception to human trafficking. Only this month, there were six arrests in Darlington related to this crime. Too many women enter the region each year thinking they are starting work as waitresses or au pairs, only to be forced into the sex trade. It is a continuing tragedy, and we must help victims to recover."

However nationally there are only 54 dedicated specialist spaces for victims, provided by the charity the Poppy project, with no such facilities in the North East.

Fiona has previously campaigned on this issue and would like to see changes in EU policy.

"It is a disgrace that we have so few specialist provisions for victims of trafficking. We have a moral obligation to help the victims of this horrific crime to recover, prosecute their persecutors, and return home when they want to.

"The Government should improve services in the UK and also take the lead at a European level. This modern day slavery has to stop."