Prince Andrew has an opportunity to do valuable work to help victims of sex trafficking
3 min read
Modern slavery and human trafficking are shocking crimes which are widespread across the world and in all parts of the UK. The traffickers earn billions from these crimes which almost equal the illicit sale of arms and drugs.
Victims are men, women and children, including babies. A substantial percentage of victims originate within the UK.
Sexual exploitation is specifically referred to in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (in S3(3)) and the meaning of slavery is set out in s1.
Jeffrey Epstein was a wicked man who was clearly guilty of sexual exploitation of children under the age of 18. Prince Andrew was a friend of his and spent time with him in his circle. He has not admitted any wrongdoing but his association with Jeffrey Epstein has, undoubtedly, tarnished his reputation. It is not, therefore, surprising that many organisations no longer want to be associated with his name.
As part of his settlement with Virginia Guiffre, Prince Andrew pledged “to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and by supporting its victims”.
Prince Andrew would be wise to work as unobtrusively as possible
This promise has been met within the NGO sector with cynicism, scepticism and disbelief. Currently, any move by Prince Andrew to work with one of the main charities in the sector would probably be rebuffed. He is unlikely to be welcome.
The question arises are those charities right to refuse his support? It seems to me that it is premature to do so. The first issue is whether the offer by Prince Andrew made in the settlement is genuine and only by his actions can he demonstrate his sincerity and real desire to help. It has been suggested that he would do better to support prevention work aimed at perpetrators. The important work of prevention is part of the war against modern slavery, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Those who deride Andrew’s pledge of support should wait to see what the Prince does next. If his pledge is genuine, he should be given the opportunity to carry it out. I hope that Prince Andrew moves slowly, cautiously and seeks advice. He would be wise to work as unobtrusively as possible. Within his family, there are those who could advise him how to set about getting involved.
Others before him have fallen from grace and retrieved their reputation by valuable and unostentatious work helping where help was most needed.
If the media was collectively able to curb its intrusiveness and allow him space, there is a real opportunity for him to do valuable work.
It is too early and, indeed, unkind to write off Prince Andrew who has many years of life ahead of him. If he chooses to do something of value to the community, particularly in the area of sexual exploitation, and sticks at it, he should be given the space and the encouragement to do so.
He might, indeed, one day be made welcome.
Baroness Butler-Sloss is a crossbench peer and co-chair of the Modern Slavery APPG and a vice-chair of the Human Trafficking Foundation.
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