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Every trafficked adult and child should have the chance to tell their story

Gavin Poole, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice, has issued the
statement below in response to ‘Landing in Dover’, a report from the Children’s
Commissioner for England:

“This crucial report from Maggie Atkinson, the Children‟s Commissioner for England, takes important steps to place unacceptable practices relating to child trafficking firmly in the spotlight. It reinforces some widely held fears that the sheer scale of those trafficked into the UK, and the extent of the crime, is both unknown and undocumented. The report demonstrates that individuals, those too often dismissed as „illegal immigrants‟, are in fact victims of crime, abuse and exploitation and are in need of specialist care.

“Whilst it is encouraging that these practices have reportedly been halted at all UK ports for unaccompanied children, it is disturbing that no changes have been made to protect adults. Those trafficked to the UK are among the most vulnerable members of society, at high risk of exploitation and abuse. Every individual, adult or child, should be given a chance to explain their real story. The risks and extent of trafficking must be fully understood and acknowledged within the Border Agency and at ports across the country; only then can we effectively support the victims and prosecute the perpetrators of this most shameful of crimes.”

For media inquiries, please contact Nick Wood of Media Intelligence Partners Ltd on 07889 617003 or 0203 008 8146 or Alistair Thompson on 07970 162225 or 0203 008 8145.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Centre for Social Justice is an independent think tank established, by Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP in 2004, to seek effective solutions to the poverty that blights parts of Britain.

In July 2007 the group published Breakthrough Britain. Ending the Costs of Social Breakdown. The paper presented over 190 policy proposals aimed at ending the growing social divide in Britain.

Subsequent reports have put forward proposals for reform of the police, prisons, social housing, the asylum system and family law. Other reports have dealt with street gangs and early intervention to help families with young children.

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