asked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to maintain and, if possible, increase the amount of safe accommodation available for women who have suffered rape or trafficking, or who wish to leave prostitution. [HL3682]
The Government have funded the Poppy project since 2003 to provide comprehensive services to non-UK victims who have been trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation. We have given our commitment to ratify the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings by the end of 2008 which will formalise our existing arrangements and enhance our measures to protect and support these vulnerable victims.
In addition, under the homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996), local authorities in England must secure suitable accommodation for applicants in certain priority needs groups. These priority need groups include vulnerable people, including those who are vulnerable as a result of having fled their home because of a risk of violence or threat of violence likely to be carried out.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they have to identify victims of trafficking at the earliest possible stage and to prevent them (in particular vulnerable women) being placed in immigration detention. [HL3683]
As part of our implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Human Trafficking, we have been piloting a victim identification process to improve our understanding of how to identify victims and what support needs they have. We have also held a number of consultation workshops with partners from within and outside the Government, including non-governmental organisations which have a particular focus on safeguarding the rights of women.
The Government will introduce firm proposals before the end of the year, informed by the pilots and consultations. An individual who is officially identified as a victim of trafficking, in need of care and support, is unlikely to meet the criteria for immigration detention.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How they are responding to petitions in favour of the United Nations Global Initiative to fight Human Trafficking. [HL3796]
The UK Government have always supported the UN Global Initiative which was originally launched in London on 26 March 2007. The initiative culminated in an international conference held in Vienna on 12 to 15 February 2008 at which the UK was represented by a high-level UK delegation.
The non-governmental organisation Stop the Traffik presented their 1 million signatures petition to the UN at the Vienna Forum. The UK continues to support the themes of the petition which include work on prevention, prosecution and protection through the auspices of the UK action plan on tackling human trafficking.