The interdenominational forum Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking Across Europe (CHASTE) has welcomed news of the Prime Minister's determination to combat human trafficking and decision to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

The Government has been urged to sign the Convention by the lobby group, which requires states to address trafficking and to support victims.

The 'time for a®rest' campaign launched by CHASTE in September sent out over 35,000 postcards to supporters who then lobbied MPs and House of Lords members in their thousands.

CEO of CHASTE, Rev Dr Carrie Pemberton said, "We are delighted to receive this outcome from the Government expressing the desire to protect the victims of the horrendous crime of trafficking in all its forms - particularly for those caught in sexual exploitation.

"With the churches now providing two-fifths of the safe housing available to those who have been trafficked, we would urge the government to see partnership funding for these pioneering projects - so that more provision can be swiftly brought into place. We shall now move forward addressing the issues of demand which seem to constantly slip from the attention of media and public alike."

The issues will be introduced to the wider community with a new initiative, Not for Sale Sunday on 20 May. CHASTE is encouraged by this positive move by the Government to realise its pledge during the G8 and EU presidency to shift the agenda forward on trafficking.

In addition to lobbying and spearheading campaigns, CHASTE works closely with a wide spectrum of other anti-slavery societies and government agencies. The largest co-ordinated policing operation this country has ever seen was Operation Pentameter which rescued 84 trafficked women.

CHASTE participated at a strategic level and now works with the newly formed UK Human Trafficking Centre, the Government's central co-ordination for its operations against trafficking.

For more information, go to www.chaste.org.uk.