Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps have been taken to tackle the re-trafficking of victims of trafficking in the UK.

The Government is committed to preventing further exploitation of vulnerable individuals who have already been victims of trafficking. Through The Salvation Army adult victim care contract in England and Wales, all potential victims who are referred into the National Referral Mechanism are provided with specialised support for a minimum period of 45 days, in excess of our international obligations. This includes work with victims to plan how they can move on safely to integrate into UK society or to return to their home country, and building resilience to avoid re-trafficking for child victims. We are currently trialling specialist child trafficking advocates who will provide dedicated support and guidance, including promoting the child’s safety and wellbeing, particularly in light of the risk of children going missing and being re-trafficked.

Implementing the Modern Slavery Strategy and the Modern Slavery Act 2015 will enhance the law enforcement response to trafficking, and help protect individuals from re-trafficking by stopping those who are responsible from exploiting further victims.