Detected cases of people trafficking during the last 12 months in Britain rose by 50 per cent on the previous year. These included 371 children being used as domestic slaves or being sexually abused and, in one horrific example, a Somalian child brought specifically to harvest her organs; the child was intercepted by police. The traffic in women increased by 12 per cent, men by 33 per cent.
The Anti-Slavery Society, a Victorian museum piece, has seen its membership rejuvenated. 2013 has seen two prosecutions under anti-slavery legislation in 21st-century Britain. Workers must stand firm against those who promote such a trade irrespective of what façade they hide behind – culture, clan, tribe, caste, gang, family etc. ■