Human Trafficking in the West Midlands: Conference Evaluation

Held on Friday 12 December 2008

Several SAHT members attended this conference last December in Birmingham. Here is the evaluation for those interested!

The Objectives of the conference were to:

· provide information about signs of trafficking to individuals and groups who may encounter trafficked people.

· examine and challenge the culture in which trafficking takes place.

· develop collaboration and joint actions in response to trafficking in the region.

Overall the event successfully met its objectives and provides a potential springboard for the development of future action on Human Trafficking in the West Midlands.

Participants

The Conference achieved its aim to bring together participants from statutory, commercial and third sectors whose activities are likely to bring them, or their colleagues, into contact with trafficked people. The statutory and third sectors were well represented, but the commercial sector had least representation. This could be an area for future focus – as human trafficking affects the commercial sector and countering human trafficking could be improved by greater participation by commercial organisations (especially in relation to their supply chains).

The following categories/organisations were represented at the conference:

• Health, Police, UK Border Agency, Education, Children’s and Social Services
• Students (University and Theological)
• Policy makers, NGOs
• Community and faith leaders

107 participants were involved in the conference, exceeding the target (100 participants). A list of the roles/organisations participants represented at the conference is attached (appendix 1).

The conference was supported by many organisations including those whose logos appear in the publicity and programme for the day (attached). We also had messages of support from local MPs Richard Burden and Clare Short..

Programme

Survey

A survey was used at the beginning of the conference (appendix 2). The results (from 35 respondents) revealed wide variations and some serious gaps in knowledge and confidence.

Definitions of Human Trafficking ranged from comprehensive to very limited (eg only involving sexual exploitation, or limited to women/women and children) and misleading (people entering another country without legal paperwork).

Respondents were split almost equally between those who would know who to contact in the case of human trafficking and those who would not know.

With regard to taking steps to ensure that victims could immediately be made safe and offered support, almost two thirds of respondents did not feel confident that they would identify a process which would be effective.

With regard to accurate identification of trafficked persons, almost ¾ of respondents would not feel confident.

All but one respondent had come across trafficking 5 or less times during the past year. Many of these may not have come across trafficking at all, however more than half the respondents felt they were likely to encounter trafficking for forced labour (60%) sexual exploitation (60%) or domestic servitude (54%).

Nearly half the respondents felt that they represented organisations which could be equipped to deal with forced labour/human trafficking.

Additional resources, especially information, were identified as being necessary to equip organisations to counter human trafficking more effectively.

Main Speakers and Workshops

Sue Anderson (Cabinet member for adults and communities, Birmingham City Council) provided the initial input, talking about her concerns about the issue and her commitment to taking actions necessary to eradicate human trafficking, especially in relation to the buying and selling of women for sex.

Steve Titterton (UK Human Trafficking Centre) stepped in at late notice to replace Ron Craigie who was ill. Steve talked about the UK context, with a brief look at trafficking for forced labour and stories of trafficking in the west midlands followed by a brief address on signs which might indicate human trafficking is taking place in different contexts. Steve stated that the UKHTC’s first priority is victim rescue, followed by tackling trafficking networks and prosecution.

Klara Skrivankova (Anti Slavery International) gave a talk on the international context of trafficking, what constitutes trafficking, and the UK action plan in relation to the signing of the UN Convention on Trafficking (due in January) with the subsequent minimum standards of care offered to all victims. In the UK this will include 45 days for victims’ recovery and reflection, during which time accommodation and support will be offered

All participants heard information which could help identify signs of trafficking in the West Midlands, the impact of trafficking (locally and globally) and what local and national politicians were thinking about the issues. 25% of responses to what was the most useful thing about the conference identified one or more of the main speakers.

As planned, workshops took place in relation to:

• Labour: Klara Skrivankova (Anti Slavery International)
• Law - Legal Issues: Ian Frost (Crown Prosecution Service)
• Sexual Exploitation and Tackling demand
  (i) Sexual Exploitation and Parents: Cat Gerry (CROP)
  (ii) Sex Trafficking: From Global Markets To Individuals: Tackling Demand And Caring For Survivors: Colin Darling and Fr Raphael Farmour (CHASTE)
• Safe spaces and returning home: Sally Montier (Poppy Project)
• Child Trafficking: Nicola Clarke and Safia Mun (Children’s Society)
• Taking risks to counter trafficking: Gary Hall and Rezarta Kardellena (Open Horizon)
• Developing educational resources: facilitated by Clare Daley (WMSMP)

In addition a workshop was offered on

• Challenging culture: Challenging Attitudes Embedded In Cultures Which Make the Possibility Of Trafficking Greater, e.g. Domestic Slavery: May Ikeora (Afruca)
  
  

Each workshop participant was invited to fill in a pledge form as a result of the workshops or the day in general. We received 50 (appendix 5) many of them specific and practical – so difficult to summarise. For example there were pledges to:

• feature an article on trafficking in the Barbershop Magazine
• develop a Daphne III bid
• extend accommodation to support victims.

25% of responses specifically identified a workshop or the workshops generally as the most useful part of the day. The legal issues workshop was highlighted for its usefulness.

More feedback on workshop and speaker content is included in appendix 3, and also in the evaluation summary (appendix 4)

Networking and Response Panel

Space was provided for networking over lunch with stands/information available from some key services and organisations including CROP, UKHTC,IOM, WMSMP. This opportunity to network and gain information about trafficking and organisations was appreciated (appendix 4).

A response panel including representatives from ASIRT, UKBA, UKHTC, and CPS were able to respond to questions and offer reflections on the day, which included positive indications that members of the panel and participants had found the day informative and useful.

Evaluation summary (appendix 4)

The final evaluation which was completed by 51 participants. All the responses received indicated that objectives for the day had been fully (74%) or partially met and that the event was useful (90%) or parts of the day were useful (remainder).

Things that people would have changed about the day focused mainly on timings and perhaps the desire for more information. In particular people would have liked more time for workshops. It is perhaps indicative of a wider gap in provision of focused, accurate and relevant information that there was such a demand for it.

Looking forward, all those who responded to the question whether they would be interested in a follow up event said that they would.

There were many pledges and actions which agencies and individuals were committed to take forward (see appendix 4, bullet 6 and appendix 5).

Budget and Cost Reimbursement

We are hopeful that when all the expenses and donations have been received this conference will be fully paid for. So far we have been promised £500 from the Safer Birmingham Partnership and we are hopeful of a grant of £250 from the CPS as well as donations from Believing in Birmingham. We have received individual donations of money towards work on trafficking which, if necessary, could be used to cover conference costs. The generosity of Carrs Lane Church Centre and the donations of time from many organisations and individuals was crucial to the success of this conference. Final figures for the expenses etc. will be available when all grants have been paid and donations and expenses received. We are grateful to the staff of Methodist Central Mission for their support and willingness to process payments.