The British government’s ratification of the European convention against Human Trafficking has been welcomed by the Medaille Trust, a Catholic charity which aims to help women, young men and children who have been freed from sex-trafficking.
The British government’s ratification of the European convention against Human Trafficking has been welcomed by the Medaille Trust, a Catholic charity which aims to help women, young men and children who have been freed from sex-trafficking.
Through the ratification of the Convention the Government has bound itself to:
- Allow those people rescued from trafficking situations to remain in the country in a safe and caring environment for a reflection and recovery period of 45 days and to provide help and support during that time. They may also be allowed to remain in the country for a further year
- To work with European agencies to combat trafficking and bring traffickers to justice
- To create a framework so that frontline staff will be trained to identify victims of trafficking, offer them support and refer them to the appropriate agencies
The effect of this new commitment by the government is beginning to be felt as more people identified as victims of trafficking are being allowed to remain in the country. This means that more women will need places in a safe and caring environment.
The Religious Sisters of Charity are privileged to have been involved with other religious congregations in the setting up of the Medaille Trust, a charity which provides safe housing for victims of trafficking. The Medaille Trust is very well placed to offer the quality of shelter and care required by victims of trafficking. The Trust’s wish is to expand beyond the two safe houses it now runs in order to be available to provide this service to a greater number.
