Human Trafficking Offences

Mr. Steen
17. To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what sentencing guidance his Department provides to judges who preside over human trafficking cases.

Maria Eagle
It is the responsibility of the independent Sentencing Guidelines Council to issue sentencing guidelines for criminal offences. In May 2007, the SGC issued a guideline on trafficking into the UK for purposes of sexual exploitation and will consider developing guidelines for people trafficking more generally. The Government’s aim are to make the UK a hostile environment for trafficking and protect victims and potential victims from this abhorrent crime.