This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22032607
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Human trafficking: Co-ordinator role 'needs more teeth' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Anti-human trafficking charities have warned a post set up to tackle the problem of children being moved around Wales for sexual exploitation needs more power and lacks independence. | Anti-human trafficking charities have warned a post set up to tackle the problem of children being moved around Wales for sexual exploitation needs more power and lacks independence. |
| Anti-human trafficking co-ordinator Stephen Chapman was appointed by the Welsh government in 2012. | Anti-human trafficking co-ordinator Stephen Chapman was appointed by the Welsh government in 2012. |
| But Safer Wales, one of five charities in the Welsh anti-human trafficking forum, said the role needed more teeth. | But Safer Wales, one of five charities in the Welsh anti-human trafficking forum, said the role needed more teeth. |
| Mr Chapman denied his group lacked independence from the Welsh government. | Mr Chapman denied his group lacked independence from the Welsh government. |
| Human trafficking is now the second most prevalent crime worldwide after drugs. | Human trafficking is now the second most prevalent crime worldwide after drugs. |
| Children and adults are trafficked in and out of the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation, but victims are also moved within Wales and the other home nations. | Children and adults are trafficked in and out of the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation, but victims are also moved within Wales and the other home nations. |
| Wales was the first UK country to appoint an anti-human trafficking coordinator in 2011 with the aim of raising awareness and helping victims. | Wales was the first UK country to appoint an anti-human trafficking coordinator in 2011 with the aim of raising awareness and helping victims. |
| But the forum feels the role is too closely aligned to the Welsh government to be truly effective. | But the forum feels the role is too closely aligned to the Welsh government to be truly effective. |
| Barbara Natasegara, chief executive of Safer Wales, told BBC Wales: "I think the post needs to have teeth. I don't think it's really got those teeth at the moment. | |
| "I think it needs to be much more independent because it can't have a strong voice. | "I think it needs to be much more independent because it can't have a strong voice. |
| "It's a huge step forward and I'm immensely proud of Wales for it, but we're a long way off actually having the strength and power that person needs." | "It's a huge step forward and I'm immensely proud of Wales for it, but we're a long way off actually having the strength and power that person needs." |
| Tackle the threat | Tackle the threat |
| Responding to the criticism, Mr Chapman said: "That's a decision for politicians to make. | Responding to the criticism, Mr Chapman said: "That's a decision for politicians to make. |
| "I'm appointed by the Welsh government and it would be up to the politicians if they wanted to do something else with the role. They're holding me to account." | "I'm appointed by the Welsh government and it would be up to the politicians if they wanted to do something else with the role. They're holding me to account." |
| Mr Chapman, who took over the co-ordinator's post from Bob Toobey, said he had "galvanised" agencies and organisations in Wales to work better together to tackle the threat of human trafficking and protect and support victims. | Mr Chapman, who took over the co-ordinator's post from Bob Toobey, said he had "galvanised" agencies and organisations in Wales to work better together to tackle the threat of human trafficking and protect and support victims. |
| These include representatives from agencies such as the police, Home Office, UK Border Agency, Crown Prosecution Service and Gangmasters' Licensing Authority, as well as non-government organisations, the Children's Commissioner and youth justice board. | These include representatives from agencies such as the police, Home Office, UK Border Agency, Crown Prosecution Service and Gangmasters' Licensing Authority, as well as non-government organisations, the Children's Commissioner and youth justice board. |
| There were 34 reported cases of human trafficking in Wales last year, but it is thought that the majority of cases go unreported. | There were 34 reported cases of human trafficking in Wales last year, but it is thought that the majority of cases go unreported. |
| One victim, who was born in Wales and trafficked around the country and sexually exploited from the age of 13, said: "At the time I was being moved around to different addresses and areas I really didn't think there was anything wrong with it, and even thought it quite exciting and I felt grown-up. | One victim, who was born in Wales and trafficked around the country and sexually exploited from the age of 13, said: "At the time I was being moved around to different addresses and areas I really didn't think there was anything wrong with it, and even thought it quite exciting and I felt grown-up. |
| "But now I know it was all a set-up and that I was being manipulated and tricked. Now that I am out of the situation and looking in, I can see it for what it was, sexual exploitation." | "But now I know it was all a set-up and that I was being manipulated and tricked. Now that I am out of the situation and looking in, I can see it for what it was, sexual exploitation." |
| A European Union directive designed to stop trafficking comes into force on Friday, placing a duty on countries to prevent and combat trafficking of human beings. | A European Union directive designed to stop trafficking comes into force on Friday, placing a duty on countries to prevent and combat trafficking of human beings. |
| The Welsh government said it was doing all it could to tackle human trafficking, and the role of the anti-human trafficking co-ordinator was to make Wales as hostile to the crime as possible. | The Welsh government said it was doing all it could to tackle human trafficking, and the role of the anti-human trafficking co-ordinator was to make Wales as hostile to the crime as possible. |
| "As the matter is not devolved, creating an independent role would be a matter for the UK government," said a spokesperson. | "As the matter is not devolved, creating an independent role would be a matter for the UK government," said a spokesperson. |
| "Maximising our impact through the existing legislative framework and by co-ordinating action in all sectors is our current priority." | "Maximising our impact through the existing legislative framework and by co-ordinating action in all sectors is our current priority." |