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RATIONALE:
Why a specific instrument
between Romania and the UK?

•  Over the last decade, the UK statistics ( National Referal Mechanism and Duty to Notify Statistics) have indicated an increasing number of Romanian nationals identified as potential victims of human trafficking. Romania continues to feature as the most EU-prevalent country of origin of potential victims reported in the UK in the last decade.

•  The most common forms of exploitation for referred Romanian victims are labour and sexual exploitation.

•  The data available from Romanian authorities often presents a different picture of the scale and nature of Romanian MSHT to the UK.

• However, the data available from Romanian authorities often present a different picture of the scale and nature of Romanian MSHT than the UK’s.

• This discrepancy in figures could stem from various factors, such as differences in legal definitions of modern slavery/human trafficking, discrepancies in law enforcement priorities, or varying levels of resources allocated to anti-trafficking efforts.

•  Additionally,  differences in reporting practices, underreporting due to fear of stigmatization or retaliation, and inconsistencies in international cooperation and information sharing may also contribute to these differing perspectives.

•  Indeed, despite a strong record of bilateral engagement, there appears to be a lack of consistent processes of cooperation and bilateral assistance between the two countries. Both Romania and the UK often act in isolation, which can hinder the effectiveness of their combined efforts against MSHT.

•  The situation has likely been exacerbated by Brexit, which has introduced additional complexities and barriers to cooperation, potentially increasing the risk of MSHT due to the stricter immigration system and reduced participation of the UK in EU-wide judicial initiatives.

Thus, a process mapping tool would help align data, improve the understanding of victim pathways, and enhance collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking effectively. It would ensure that assistance efforts are coordinated, comprehensive, and responsive to the evolving dynamics of MSHT, ultimately leading to more effective policies and measures in both countries.

• IT IS envisaged as a bespoke knowledge management instrument addressing specifically the UK modern slavery/human trafficking originating from Romania, covering both enforcement and victim identification/assistance.
It will be made available in both jurisdictions, attempting to bridge some of the gaps identified in previous research, by providing a step-by-step guide and process mapping for the use of practitioners, police officers, prosecutors and first responders.  This tool, alongside other measures envisaged at the bilateral level, should facilitate greater compatibility between the two systems and a more targeted approach to investigating modern slavery in the UK and Romania while ensuring the victims receive the support and care they need.
• This platform IS NOT a general collection of guidance and procedures specific to modern slavery /human trafficking investigations or a substitute for policies, procedures and professional guidance, although the users may be provided with links towards other resources, including professional advice.

By mapping out each phase of an investigation, from intelligence collection and exchange all the way to achieving the judicial outcome and/or disrupting the criminal activity, this platform attempts to bring together processes, available resources, best practices, contacts etc., specific to the UK – Romanian cooperation on modern slavery, with the view of assisting the practitioners in both jurisdictions in progressing their cases at the tactical level whilst raising awareness with regards to the tactical opportunities being available to them in both jurisdictions.

 

IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO IS SUFFERING
IN MODERN SLAVERY PLEASE CALL

In the UK: The Modern Slavery helpline
 0800 0121 700

In Romania: VICTIM HELPLINE
 +4021 313 3100