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<p>The illicit sex trade is closely linked to modern slavery, and the fight against
modern slavery is one of the foreign policy priorities of this government. The UK
is in the forefront of the international efforts to combat modern slavery, including
sexual exploitation, and this government has committed over £200 million of UK Aid
to this end. We work in partnership with host governments, where appropriate, to help
them strengthen their domestic legislation, to build capacity in their law enforcement
authorities, and to raise awareness among vulnerable communities.</p><p>We take the
question of illegal sex tourism by UK nationals overseas very seriously, and Section
72 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 also allows for the prosecution of UK nationals/residents
who sexually abuse or exploit children, wherever in the world they commit these acts.
Combatting criminal offending and safeguarding of victims is almost always best achieved
through local intervention and local support mechanisms. However, where there is a
safeguarding issue or an ongoing risk to children, proceedings can be brought in England
and Wales against the individual, regardless of whether the local authorities have
sought to bring such action.</p><p>Our network of tri-departmental Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, Home Office and the Department For International Development Serious and Organised
Crime Regional Coordinators, and National Crime Agency officers posted overseas, work
closely with their host governments in the fight against all forms of organised crime,
including child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). The network's aim is to fuse
and enhance the response to transnational serious and organised crime. The Government
is also enhancing its understanding of the nature and impact of international illicit
finance (including corruption), demonstrating the UK's global leadership in tackling
it. We will engage with partner governments to build both the political will and the
capability to tackle this threat. In addition, as part of the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy
2017-2022, we are taking forward a wide range of programmes and initiatives to tackle
corruption internationally.</p>
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