Heather Bellamy interviewed Steve Chalke about the campaign to stop the sale of people

Villages in rural china have been decimated by trafficking. This man's wife was trafficked, leaving him to care for his young daughter whom he fears will be vulnerable to trafficking when she is older. The village this man lives in has very few women left because of trafficking. (Photo: Duncan Parker/The Salvation Army)

Steve: The fact that people trafficking remains such an extensive problem and pernicious global crime is clear evidence that governments need to do more to combat this evil. Because the particular problems are individual to various governments around the world, bespoke legislation and implementation is called for in each territory. Here, as an example, is Stop The Traffik's response to the UK Home Office's Consultation on developing a UK Action Plan to tackle trafficking.

'Stop The Traffik welcomes the Government's action plan. Stop The Traffik is keen to partner with Government to ensure that trafficking becomes a thing of the past. Stop The Traffik is also convinced that this can only happen through partnership and collaboration. However, it must be partnership, not patronage. Stop The Traffik recommendations are as follows:

1. The UK Government should sign and ratify the Council of Europe's 'Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings'.

2. Stop The Traffik believes that an independent review of human trafficking in the UK is vital to inform and shape the action plan more effectively.

3. Develop education programmes at home and internationally.

4. Develop a strong awareness-raising campaign on human trafficking and also raise public awareness about violence against women generally, which is one of the root problems behind human trafficking.

5. Joined up services with other agencies internationally is vital.

6. More effective and holistic engagement with communities where there is an established link to trafficking into the UK would help address the issue of identification.

7. The provision of a reflection period of a minimum 90 days for victims to assess their options, begin to think through the events that have led them to the point they have reached and begin to rebuild their lives.

8. Investment in safe houses, education programmes, legal advice and social and health services is vital for the wellbeing of those trafficked. NGO and charitable involvement is proven to have higher yield value per pound spent, and Stop The Traffik believes that the most effective use of funds is the development of stronger partnerships with such agencies to enable greater assistance and protection of victims.

9. Stop the Traffik recommends that the Government adopt Freedom Day as an official yearly reminder of the global extent of human trafficking.

Heather: How can people get involved in what you're doing and make a difference?

Steve: 1. Sign the Declaration card. These will be delivered to the UN after Freedom Day, the 25th March 2007. The more cards are signed, the greater impact we will have.
2. Buy a freedom key - available from the Stop The Traffik website. Put it on your key ring or wear it as jewellery to get people talking about Stop The Traffik and to remind you of the commitment you've made.
3. Tell others about Stop The Traffik - your family, your friends, your work colleagues, your mates at school. If you are part of an organisation, such as a sports club, a school, a scout group, get them to sign up as members.
4. Run an event on Freedom Day next year to publicise Stop The Traffik, as well as celebrating the bicentenary.
5. Visit the Stop The Traffik website and read up about it. Make it your home page. There will be regular updates of stories and resources to help you get involved throughout the year.