DPP to examine criminal justice approach to human trafficking in England

The issue of human trafficking has recently been under the spotlight in England, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) meeting with experts and interested parties to discuss the investigation and prosecution of this offence.

Human trafficking is criminalised in England and Wales under two specific pieces of legislation: section 59A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for trafficking for sexual exploitation; and section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004 for trafficking for all forms of non-sexual exploitation.

A further offence created under section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 criminalises those who hold another person in slavery or servitude, or requires or forces them to perform compulsory labour.

The purpose of the discussions is to help identify how the CPS can work with others to increase the number of cases dealt with under human trafficking laws.

One of the difficulties of this type of offending, says the DPP, is that it crosses international borders. Police and prosecutors are already working with source and transit countries to improve the global response to trafficking, by helping them to build capacity and by participating in joint investigation teams.

"We need to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, which is modern day slavery that demeans the value of human life,” said Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders.

"In cases where there may be links to trafficking, the CPS prosecutes under a range of legislation such as assisting unlawful immigration to a member state, rape, kidnapping, controlling prostitution for gain, false imprisonment and threats to kill, but prosecutions and convictions for specific human trafficking offences need to be improved," she added.

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