Greg Mulholland – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2014-06-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to establish a statutory system of guardianship to support victims of child trafficking.

Karen Bradley

The Modern Slavery Bill, published on 10 June 2014, includes an enabling clause
which provides a statutory basis for child trafficking advocates and their
functions including the circumstances and conditions under which a person may
act as an advocate.

The clause provides the Secretary of State with a power to make arrangements so
that specialist child trafficking advocates are available to support and
represent children who there is reason to believe may be victims of
trafficking. It also allows for requirements on public authorities to
co-operate with and provide information to these advocates.

Trials of the child trafficking advocates scheme will commence in summer 2014.
The trials will be independently evaluated both at six months and on
completion. A report on the findings will be laid before Parliament.