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<p>The Government funds the Adult Human Trafficking Care and Co-ordination contract
which ensures that potential victims of trafficking receive <br>appropriate care and
support once they have been identified. As part of this contract and in compliance
with our international obligations (Council of Europe Convention and the EU Directive
on Trafficking in Human Beings), the Home Office has made it a core requirement for
the Contractor to provide assistance to victims at appropriate stages of criminal
proceedings against offenders. The Contractor is also required to cooperate with the
police and judicial service in order to assist in the prosecution of potential offenders
particularly when requests for information are made.<br><br>Such assistance includes:<br>•
explaining to victims the relevant procedures relating to the prosecution of offenders;
<br>• encouraging victims to cooperate with any police enquiries and with the wider
justice system. <br>• explaining to victims where relevant, what role they will have
in court proceedings; and <br>• facilitating access to independent legal support for
victims and where appropriate assisting victims to apply for Legal Aid. <br><br>In
addition, the police have raised awareness amongst its officers about the need to
ensure that victims are at the centre of any modern slavery <br>investigation, this
awareness includes how to conduct interviews with traumatised potential victims in
order to ensure that they are able to provide <br>the most comprehensive information
required to assist in prosecutions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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