The Croydon Community Against Trafficking (CCAT) is a coalition of concerned citizens, faith and community groups who aim to stop the injustice of human trafficking for sexual exploitation within the borough of Croydon.
We are united with four main aims:
1. To raise awareness in Croydon about human trafficking for sexual exploitation and stimulate action against it.
2. To work with other agencies to liberate, protect and support trafficked people in Croydon who have been, or are at risk of being sexually exploited
3. To stop the activities of human traffickers and those who profit from the local illegal sex trade.
In simple terms… the CCAT wants to free slaves of human trafficking in our town, stop 'slavers' and their businesses from profiting from the sale of people, and ensure that as many of our community members and leaders in Croydon know about the problem and help us stop this injustice by taking action!
How we plan to make these aims a reality:
1. To raise awareness in Croydon of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and stimulate action against it by:
· Undertaking educational work with young people in schools and other environments.
· Raising public awareness through events, advertising and other activities.
· Encouraging and undertaking campaigns and lobbying of local and national bodies to bring about change on matters relating to the eradication of sex trafficking.
2. To work with other agencies to liberate, protect and support trafficked people in Croydon who have been, or are at risk of being sexually exploited, by:
· Providing relevant information to the local authority and police service to enable the identification and release of victims of trafficking.
· Developing and providing practical support, to include a place of safety where appropriate, points of contact and information.
· Respecting the rights and expressed wishes of victims.
3. To stop the activities of human traffickers and those who profit from the local illegal sex trade by:
· Carrying out ongoing rigorous research and investigation that will assist the case for intervention against trafficking for sexual exploitation.
· Providing relevant information to the local authority and police service.
· Working with others to developing stronger mechanisms for enabling the identification and release of victims of trafficking, closure of sex establishments associated with trafficking and prosecution of offenders involved.
4. To reduce the use of commercial sexual services by:
· Aiming to change the attitudes and behaviour of potential ‘punters’ by increasing awareness of the dangers and exploitation involved.
· Undertaking educational work with young people in schools and other environments.
· Supporting efforts to focus legal deterrence onto the purchasers of sexual services.
In working towards these aims we will:
· Network and co-operate with local, regional and national agencies including faith groups, community groups, anti-trafficking organisations, campaigning groups, support agencies and research institutes.
· Seek to respect human rights at all times.
