This article expresses concern that trafficking victims do not have guaranteed support of protection in the United Kingdom. It states that as of this writing, the UK has not signed any international standards to provide minimum protection and support, the EU Council Directive on short term residence permits or the Council of Europe’s European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. It explains tha tthere is no reflection period in the UK; and asserts that there is only limited support for women trafficked into prostitution; and that there is no provision for specialist services for trafficked children. In 2006, four major charities urged the UK government to sign the UN Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; to sign the UN Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families; to ensure that the national action plan includes a commitment to a reflection period, specialist services and medical aid to trafficking victims, safe houses and the right to temporary residence for those at risk.
