THE WI today declared war on 'sexual slavery' when the organisation's AGM passed a resolution calling on the Government to introduce new laws to combat human trafficking and support its victims.
The resolution, passed by a near-unanimous majority, also calls on the WI's 220,000 members from across the UK to raise public awareness of the issue.
Human trafficking is a global problem, the WI heard, with women and
children being coerced or deceived into the hands of traffickers who then exploit
them for sexual purposes. Though the Sex Offences Act 2003 outlawed trafficking
for sexual purposes, the law still tends to treat the
women involved as illegal
immigrants rather than the victims of criminal exploitation, according to victims
groups.
Jean Lambert, a Green Euro-MP and expert on trafficking in women and children, who last year co-hosted a conference for police, the Home Office and women's groups on the issue with London's Green Party Mayor Jenny Jones, said the Government had to treat the women and children involved as victims - not criminals.
Addressing the AGM in Sheffield today, Mrs Lambert said: "Trafficking is not an immigration issue: it is a crime and like all crime it has its victims.
"The victims are still offered referred to as illegal 'entrants' and deported. Whilst some women may view coming to the UK as an opportunity, once trafficked they face imprisonment in illegal brothels, 24-hour working days, forced drug addiction and a complete denial of rights, identity and determination over their own bodies.
"They face reprisals from their families, community and traffickers, and the ordeal of being trafficked again should they return home."
Mrs Lambert called for more financial help and support for victims, for the UK to drop its opt-ut to an EU directive which would allow victims short-term residence permits as part of a package of international co-operation in the fight against trafficking, and better training for police, lawyers, immigration officers and social workers.
The motion was passed with the support of 98.5 per cent of delegates. Other measures discussed at the NFWI Annual General Meeting in Sheffield included a ban on GM-crops in the UK and a call for increased funding for the Air Ambulance Service.
Other speakers included BBC newscaster George Alagiah, Esther Rantzen and Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund Liz Forgan.
ENDS
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