Sex Trafficking and Prostitution in
Ireland and the United Kingdom
Abstracts: March 2005
02-Mar-05 Men who pay for sex with trafficked girls to face rape charge According to this article:
A new ministerial committee met last week to discussing trafficking. Ministers are increasingly alarmed at the soaring numbers of women tricked by criminal gangs into working against their will as prostitutes. The most recent data suggests that 1400 women were trafficked into Britain as sex slaves in 2002. The Poppy Project believes that figure has doubled and that there are 730 flats, saunas and escort agencies selling sex in London alone. Approximately 80% of London's prostitutes are foreign citizens.
Ministers believe a radical new approach is needed to crack down on sex trafficking. It was agreed that ministers would make human trafficking a priority for its 6 month presidency in the EU from July 2005 and to increase support services for trafficked people. The Poppy Project is the sole charity offering refuge and its accommodation is always full.
Discussion was held regarding the ability to prosecute clients of trafficked prostitutes under the Sexual Offences Act's definition of consent. Officials do not rule out new legislation if it proves difficult to secure prosecutions for rape.
During the trial of Albanian trafficker Vullnet Ismailaj it emerged that trafficked women frequently told their "clients" that they were being held against their will but that the men had sex anyway, despite the women's pleas. This raises the prospect of rape charges being filed.
"Moves to prosecute clients would make a radical departure in the way prostitution has been handled for decades. Traditionally, punters walk free and prostitutes are cautioned. In the future, police could arrest clients if they believe that women were being held against their will."
Harriet Harman, Solicitor-General and Caroline Flint, Home Office Minister are leading the drive. Flint is also conducting a review of prostitution.
Bennett, Rosemary. "Men who pay for sex with trafficked girls to face rape charge" The Times March 2, 2005.
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1506769,00.html
A 15 year old Lithuanian girl came to Britain for what she thought would be a summer job selling ice creams. Instead, within 24 hours of arrival she was 'sold' for £4,000 by a trafficking gang as a sex slave. Her passport was taken and she spent 3 months forced into prostitution by the gang who demanded she worked for them until she paid off her debt. She was sold to 7 different men, worked in massage parlours and saunas, was raped and never received a penny.
On May 16, three illegal immigrants were convicted at Sheffield Crown Court:
Macedonian Shaban Maka, described as the ring leader was sentenced to 18 years for trafficking.
Kosovan Ilir Barjami was sentenced to 15 years, also for trafficking. Barjami had bought the girl for £1,500, repeatedly raped her and forced her to work as a prostitute.
Albanian Xhevahir Pisha was sentenced to five years. He had paid £3,000 for the girl and imprisoned her at his home.
Three women at a Shefflield nightclub helped the girl escape after she told them her story. They distracted Barjami and the girl ran bar-footed through Sheffield to the nearest police station.
Police said her case could be just the "tip of the iceberg".
"Sex slave teen 'sold for £4,000'" This is London. March 17, 2005.http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/
articles/17330168?version=1
17-Mar-05 Sex slave gang boss Sheffield Today
Shaban Maka 18 yr. sentence. Xhevahir Pisha 5 year sentence. ir Barjami, 15 yr. sentence.
17-Mar-05 Sex slave gang 'tip of iceberg' BBC News lir Barjami, Shaban Maka and Xhevahir Pisha. Lithuanian girl sold for £4,000, re-sold for£3,000 and £1,500 to seven different men. Repeatedly raped and forced to work as a prostitute.
18-Mar-05 Vienna Conference Discussing Trafficking In Children Radio Free Europe
More than 200 international experts met in Vienna to hear reports on the use of young girls and boys from the Balkans and Eastern Europe in prostitution, criminal gangs, and pornography.
Opinion
15 year old Lithuanian girl trafficked by
Vullnet Ismailaj. Points out that only 3 convictions occurred although the child was sold 7 times.Gov. figures indicate1,750 victims of sex trafficking into UK in 2003. Suggests life imprisonment for child sex traffickers.
Scotpep warned plans to curb problems re: prostitution could cause vigilante-style attacks on street workers. Scotpep backs plans to decriminalize prostitution
