SI Tenby programme action officer, Dr. Anne Kelly, had a very productive meeting with Mr. Jonah Meredith, head of sixth, Greenhill head boy Lewis Brickle and members of prefects team last Friday.

The sixth formers are very keen to put this question to the speakers at the forum on Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery to be held at the school on Friday, October 18, at 7 pm.

The need to ask this question is the outcome of increasing incidences of young people being caught up in crimes related to 'modern day' forms of slavery; for example, 'trafficking' and internet 'grooming'.

Year 12 and Year 13 students are working with the Soroptimist International Club of Tenby, which has been campaigning on these issues since 2007, the bi-centenary of the Abolition of Slavery Bill, to increase awareness of the fact that a form of 'modern day slavery' has re-emerged in this country - a form that may be more insidious and iniquitous than that dealt with in 1807.

SI Tenby's campaign to raise awareness of this heinous crime has involved the lobbying of MPs and being concerned in the launching of an appeal for the appointment of an Anti- Human Trafficking co-ordinator in Wales organised by Mrs. Joyce Watson AM.

This venture was supported by children from all of our local schools, who contributed their work to a booklet which was sold by SI Tenby to raise funds to support organisations fighting this crime, such as Anti- Slavery International and Barnardo's Cymru.

In addition, money has been raised to support victims of trafficking who are cared for by BAWSO, Cardiff.

Since this time many other Soroptimist clubs throughout the UK have also joined in the campaign to stop human trafficking, and much pressure has been put on government to deal with the issue.

Wales has been at the forefront of action having appointed an Anti-Human Trafficking co-ordinator, Mr. Stephen Chapman, in 2012. However, a report 'It Happens Here', produced by the Slavery Working Group and published by the Centre for Social Justice in March 2013, showed that in the UK as a whole, over a period of 18 months more than a 1,000 cases of 'slavery', and 'trafficking' had been detected and this was said to be 'a pale reflection of the problem'.

Causes of the continuation of these crimes were said to be: a leadership vacuum and 'messy' legislative frameworks, frontline professionals being forced to swim against a tide of indifference if they tried to fight the crimes, and official bodies failing in their duty of care as they had little idea of the problem.

It was also reported that there was 'a shocking underworld in which children and adults, including UK citizens, were forced into a life of degradation - yet authorities were turning a blind eye and families were failing to understand the nature of abuse'.

In response to various pressures an Anti-Slavery Law was introduced by Theresa May on August 25, 2013. It defines slavery and trafficking as aggravated criminal offences.

Anyone found guilty of abduction threats, extortion or controlling of 'slaves' may face sentences of up to 14 years.

Unfortunately, we have seen in recent days that the crime goes on.

CHEOPS (the Child Exploitation and On-line Protection Service) reported 180-plus cases of internet grooming of young people, sometimes resulting in the suicide of victims.

Last month in Newport, a very serious incidence of slavery was brought to light and is currently being investigated by police. The Government has requested each police force to appoint a senior officer to be responsible for trafficking, but only 33 forces in England have responded.

In Wales, the Anti-Trafficking co-ordinator is working towards the setting up of collaborative committees to deal with these issues in every county.

One has already been set up in South East Wales. It is hoped that there will soon be one in Dyfed Powys.

Greenhill's head boy and head girl will be introducing the three headline speakers at the forum; namely, Simon Hart MP, Dyfed Powys Police commissioner Christopher Salmon and assistant director of Barnardo's Cymru, Pat Duke.

The senior prefect team will also participate in the closing debate.

Please come and support the young people of Greenhill School and Tenby Soroptimists in their efforts to safeguard our children by continuing to raise awareness of slavery, human trafficking and internet grooming.