Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 June 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Human Trafficking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by his Department to raise awareness of human trafficking amongst the clients of prostitutes.

Answer: On 5 January 2006, the Home Office launched a three month national consultation exercise on proposals for a UK action plan on human trafficking. A summary of responses report was published on 21 June. A number of respondents commented on the issue of raising awareness amongst those who pay for sexual services of the consequences of having sexual intercourse with a trafficked person. We intend to consider the consultation responses over the next few months with the aim of producing a final UK Action Plan by the end of the year.During the recent, police-led operation on trafficking for sexual exploitation (called Operation Pentameter) specific awareness raising measures were undertaken. These included writing to publishing houses that have men’s magazines and pornographic titles asking for them to be informed on the issue of trafficking and for support in terms of editorial copy and advertising space. In addition, leaflets were produced and distributed at airports to raise awareness amongst men travelling to the World Cup. An article was also placed in the England supporter’s magazine ‘Fanzine’ handed out before the England football matches in Germany. The work undertaken by Operation Pentameter will be carried on by the UK Human Trafficking Centre which was announced on 21 June.

Secondary information