Overview

This bill aims to strengthen the UK's response to human trafficking by creating new offenses, improving support for victims, and enhancing prevention strategies. It focuses on improving investigation and prosecution, providing comprehensive assistance and support to victims, particularly children, and establishing a national body to monitor the bill's effectiveness.

Description

The bill significantly expands the definition of human trafficking offenses, including those occurring outside the UK. It introduces several aggravating factors for sentencing, such as the involvement of public officials or criminal organizations, and harm caused to victims. Consent is deemed irrelevant if obtained through coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or if the victim is a child. The bill mandates resources for investigation and prosecution, including training and investigative tools. It ensures that investigations and prosecutions aren't dependent on victim reporting. Victims will receive assistance and support for at least three months post-proceedings, including accommodation, medical care, legal representation, and compensation. Children are to receive individual plans for their long-term welfare, and legal advocates will be appointed if parental responsibility is compromised. The bill also amends existing legislation to include human trafficking as a relevant offense in special witness measures and creates a national body to oversee the bill's implementation and report to Parliament and the EU.

Government Spending

The bill will necessitate increased government spending on training law enforcement and support services for victims. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text itself, but significant investment will be required to implement the support mechanisms outlined, particularly the provision of adequate resources for investigations, support services and legal advocacy for victims, especially children.

Groups Affected

• Victims of human trafficking: Will benefit from enhanced support and protection, including improved access to legal representation, compensation, and long-term care.
• Law enforcement agencies: Will require additional training and resources to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases effectively.
• Support organizations: Will play a crucial role in providing assistance and support to victims, and may see an increase in demand for their services.
• The judiciary: Will need to adapt sentencing practices to account for the new aggravating factors outlined in the bill.
• Perpetrators of human trafficking: Will face stricter penalties and increased likelihood of prosecution.

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