Violence against Women and Girls Crime report contents

Sexual trafficking
The defendant was responsible for organising and financing the travel arrangements for
those involved in prostitution to travel to the UK from Poland. He ran seven brothels across
England and used an online adult website to advertise the services of the women. In addition
to his custodial sentence, the judge granted the first Slavery and Trafficking Protection Order
against the defendant. The provisions in the Order restricted the defendant’s travel,
prevented him from organising transport and accommodation for anyone, prevented him
from possessing identity documents belonging to others, prevented him from contacting any
of his 16 named victims, restricted him to owning one mobile phone, prohibited him from
residing with anyone connected with the sex industry or travelling with them in a car,
prevented him from operating accounts on adult sites on the internet and included a
requirement to report his name and address to the police whenever he may be resident in
the UK.
Legal Guidance and training
Since the Modern Slavery Act came into force on 31 July 2015, the CPS has been working with a range
of partners to deliver training and presentations to the police and Law Society and provide guidance
and training to prosecutors on the effects of the new provisions (12 regional policing training sessions
have been delivered). This has included emphasising different prosecution strategies and the
importance of financial investigation, upstream investigation and greater joint working with EU
partners. It also included training on the use of the new legislative powers and the range of options
available.
Guidance has been prepared and promoted on the statutory defence for suspects who might be
victims and how it dovetails with CPS guidance. Presentations to the Law Society and the Bar have
focused on the need to be aware that suspects may be potential victims of trafficking and the steps
that advocates should take. The CPS has also delivered a presentation on the new provision at the
International Human Rights Conference.
Local good practice:
The Training Sub Group of the Wales Anti-Slavery Leadership Group has put in place a
training programme across Wales aimed at developing the skills and confidence to
identify report and deal with slavery. These training courses are being delivered to
Local Authorities, Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, Health, Education,
Universities, Airport and Port staff, the voluntary sector and community groups.
CPS Mersey and Cheshire prosecuted a high profile modern slavery case involving
prostitution. Financial and phone evidence was used to prove the charges, without
the necessity to call the complainants. The first Slavery and Trafficking Prevention
Order was issued in this case to prevent further offending upon release from prison
(see case study below).
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