Human Trafficking
Northern Ireland: trafficking victims to get more support
Yet again, Northern Ireland and the Assembly is leading the way when it comes to anti-trafficking legislation.
Last night at the Northern Ireland Assembly, members voted in favour of strengthening provisions for support for confirmed victims of human trafficking.
Welcoming the outcome, anti-trafficking charity CARE NI today paid tribute to Minister Naomi Long and the Chair of the Justice Committee, Mervyn Storey.
The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill now moves to Final Stage which is the last step before receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.
When the Bill was in Committee, CARE NI gave oral evidence, urging Committee members to amend the Bill to give confirmed victims 12 months support.
These calls were listened too and at Consideration Stage, an amendment was accepted giving victims up to 12 months or less if not required.
Seeking further improvements, CARE NI lobbied for this new provision to be strengthened further to make sure ALL confirmed victims get 12 months or more if required.
The DUP tabled an amendment to further strengthen support for victims, however, Justice Minister Naomi Long also tabled an amendment which achieved the same end result.
In the debate, Mervyn Storey MLA said:
“We tabled our amendment because we felt, after consulting organisations such as Care NI, that the Minister had not adequately addressed the issue in the Bill. She will be glad to know that Care NI supports our view. Given that the Minister has moved to our ground on the matter, we very much appreciate her graciousness.”
Seeking clarity that the new provision of support covered all confirmed victims who receive what's known as a positive conclusive grounds decision, Mr Storey pressed the Minister:
“We will withdraw our amendment, but will the Minister confirm that the provision of support for confirmed victims of modern slavery under section 18(9) of the HTEA, as amended by amendment No 32, will apply to all victims who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision, in line with the Justice Committee's intentions?"
In a clear reply, the Minister was explicit that her amendment did ensure confirmed victims would benefit from proper, long-term support:
"That is the case, but, as the Member will be aware, it will be based on their need at that time. If someone no longer needs support, we will not direct it to them, but, if they need that support, it will continue. I reassure Members about that."
Responding to the outcome, CARE NI Policy Officer, Rebecca Stevenson, said:
“First, we had the ground-breaking Human Trafficking Act in 2015, the first time any part of the UK had passed dedicated trafficking laws for nearly two centuries. “Since then, we’ve consistently campaigned on behalf of victims to ensure they receive proper, long-term support, which is absolutely vital if they’re to rebuild their lives. “Now, thanks to the Minister, Naomi Long and the Chair of the Justice Committee Mervyn Storey and the wider Committee and Assembly, confirmed victims are guaranteed up to 12 months support and more if required. “This support includes things like housing, healthcare provision, financial aid as appropriate and legal advice. “The outcome of Further Consideration Stage is truly welcome, and it would be brilliant to see other parts of the UK follow suit.”
Last night’s outcome means that yet again, Northern Ireland and the Assembly is leading the way when it comes to anti-trafficking legislation.
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