freedom cities empowering people to keep safe the key role of sheffield in the creation of a...

Freedom CitiesEmpowering People to Keep Safe

The key role of Sheffield in the creation of a campaign whereby cities are

recognised by the EU for their work in actively combating human trafficking

Key Facts

• Estimated 27 million victims worldwide.• 80% women, 15% children.• Estimated 2600 victims in UK sex industry.• Present, but hidden, in all our communities.• 2005, Sheffield – first conviction for trafficking.• In 2011, 8 trafficking convictions compared to

over 60,000 drugs convictions.• EU Directive 2011/36/EU.

Concept of Freedom Cities

• Community-based approach to tackling trafficking.

• Sheffield to become first Freedom City; concept then extended to other UK and/or EU cities.

• Sheffield working together to raise awareness of human trafficking, implement preventative measures, support victims, raise funds ...

Development of Concept

• Presentation to SEB, 8 October 2014; concept “fully endorsed”.

• Advisory Group met 26 Nov 2014 and 8 Jan 2015. Working Group developed detailed criteria for Freedom City accreditation.

• Report of Advisory Group presented to SEB,11 February 2015.

Pledge to …

• Endorse principles of Freedom Cities.• Take a coordinated approach to prevent and

combat human trafficking.• Prepare an EU funding bid; explore other funding

opportunities.• Pilot and evaluate Freedom Cities within Sheffield.• Form a group to continue and expand training and

awareness raising.• Identify a “focal point” in each organisation.

Next Steps

• Agree to sign pledge - date and venue.• Plan working groups.• Second pilot of TRUTH online awareness

raising course.