Soroptimist International Tenby's continuing programme to combat traffficking resulted in a very worthwhile meeting with Stephen Crabb, MP for North Pembrokeshire, at the Giltar Hotel recently. SI Tenby programme action officer, Dr. Anne Kelly, president-elect Eleanor Sanderson, and a number of club members presented him with a detailed report on the extensive work that the club has carried out since 2007 in order to raise awareness of the horrific practice of human trafficking.

Each year, two-million women and children are sold into slavery. Research undertaken by Barnardo's shows that the crime of trafficking has become internalised and is happening to children raised and born in the UK. This includes the planned and organised exploitation of children who may be moved from their homes to other locations for the purpose of sexual abuse.

Tenby Soroptimists' ongoing campaign to combat trafficking has included involvement with local schools, giving presentations at the Welsh Assembly, the annual Soroptimist conference in Manchester and Swansea Maritime Museum, collaborating with Dyfed Powys Police and Barnardo's Cymru to research the extensiveness of the problem in Wales, culminating in a Forum on Modern Day Slavery, Internal Trafficking and Internet Grooming, and, most recently, meeting with MP Simon Hart at his January surgery in Tenby.

Stephen Crabb responded with interest to the report and discussed a variety of issues relating to human trafficking with club members. He was particularly concerned about the extent of the problem in Wales and gave valuable feedback on recent outcomes in Parliament related to trafficking. He also suggested that the club contacted Simon Hart MP in order to arrange a visit to Westminster in the near future.

SI members, Stephen Crabb and his constituency assistant Adele Jones then enjoyed a sumptuous Victorian tea in the dining room at the Giltar Hotel.

Afterwards, Stephen said: "I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Tenby branch to hear more about the good work that they have been doing to raise awareness of human trafficking.It is easy to think that these are far-away issues that only exist in cities. But, in truth, the impact of human trafficking can be felt everywhere in the country. The branch has been very active in trying to tackle this issue locally and have been working with the organisations that can make a real difference in overcoming this problem."