About the UKHTC
The United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre [UKHTC] is a multi-agency centre that provides a central point for the development of expertise and cooperation in relation to the trafficking of human beings [THB], working together with other stakeholders from the governmental, non-governmental and inter governmental sectors in the UK and abroad.
It plays a key role in co-ordinating work across these various stakeholders and, with its partners, delivers a diverse set of programmes, including targeted campaigns to prevent and reduce THB. Raising the awareness of THB is the primary message and the Centre does this by addressing the four key audiences; victims; the public; law enforcement and other professionals. The Centre has responsibility for a number of important actions which are set out in the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking. The Centre conducts research, develops improved training packages, promulgates best practice and develops an improved knowledge and understanding of the way criminal enterprises that are associated with human trafficking operate.
The Centre promotes the development of a victim centred human rights approach to THB and by working with Non-Governmental Organisations and other partners it aims to improve the standard of care offered to victims. The Centre recognises that it is imperative that all victims of THB are identified and the provision of victim identification guidance to all sectors is an ongoing priority. A necessity is to reduce the harm caused by THB and to develop solutions to combat THB. The centre aims to prevent human trafficking by working with all partners to build a knowledge and understanding of THB and the harm it causes and to use this knowledge and understanding to inform the UK response.
The UK Action Plan established a detailed programme of work with the goal of making the UK a hostile environment for all types of THB. The Action Plan tasks the public, private and voluntary sectors to work together in a coordinated and directed manner to combat THB. The Action Plan identifies four key areas for action these being; Prevention; Investigation, law enforcement and prosecution; The provision of protection and assistance to adult victims and the provision of specific measures to victims of child trafficking.
The Centre has prioritised these key areas and strives to establish and deliver a coordinated, cooperative and collaborative way of working within the UK and internationally to maximise efforts to reduce THB and the harms it causes. Through the delivery of diverse workstreams the UKHTC will raise awareness of these issues, and ensure that the UK is a lead nation in respect of good practice and policy implementation.
The focus of the work of the Centre encompasses the following;
