New Welsh post to combat human trafficking

Sep 10 2010 by Helen Turner, South Wales Echo
WALES will have an anti-human trafficking coordinator for the first time, it was announced yesterday.
Human trafficking is the third most lucrative market in the UK for organised criminals, after drugs and firearms.
As the trafficking of women and children in Wales is a largely hidden problem the scale of the crime remains somewhat unknown, although police intelligence indicates it is on the increase.
The Right to be Safe strategy, launched in March this year outlined the Assembly Government’s commitment to supporting victims of human trafficking.
A report prepared by a cross-party working group, led by Joyce Watson AM, identified a need for an anti-human trafficking coordinator for Wales. The role will consist of bringing together public agencies who have a part to play in stamping out the crime and supporting victims.
The holder of the new post, which has not yet been appointed, will raise awareness of the problem locally to bring more traffickers to justice.
The coordinator will also organise training for professionals on how to identify and intervene in cases of human trafficking.
Social Justice and Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant said: “Trafficking of women and children into the sex trade and forced labour is abhorrent, but largely remains a hidden crime.
“This is why I am funding this post which will raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking, bring more perpetrators to justice and improve the response that victims receive.”