Abstracts: June 2005
03-Jun-05
US State Department: Trafficking in Persons Report:
United Kingdom
"The annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report includes those countries determined to be countries of origin, transit, or destination for a significant number of victims of severe forms of trafficking."
The United Kingdom was given a Tier 1 rating which indicates that the government fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
"The United Kingdom is primarily a country of destination for trafficked women, children, and men from Eastern Europe, East Asia, and West Africa. Women are trafficked primarily for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, while men are trafficked for the purpose of forced labor in agriculture and sweatshop industries. The United Kingdom may also play a role as a transit country for foreign victims trafficked to other Western European countries."
The TIP report found:
- July 2004, legislation enacted to criminalize human trafficking for exploitation, including labor exploitation.
- Taken together with Sexual Offenses Act of 2003 it strengthens and broadens coverage of UK anti-trafficking laws
- Significant anti-trafficking prosecutions and sentences were handed down during 2004
- Crown Prosecution Service successfully sought heavy penalties in cases of both sexual exploitation and forced labor
- 2004: 60 law enforcement operations resulting in 572 arrests and 66 convictions
- 2003: 340 prosecutions and 98 convictions
- Government launched a trafficking prosecution toolkit, which now serves as a compilation of U.K. laws that can be used to prosecute traffickers and seize their assets
- Government continued to engage in and support a number of bilateral and multilateral anti-trafficking efforts
- Funding assistance was given to adult victims
- Inadequate accommodations for number of victims
- Newly established shelter for child trafficking victims was closed after only two months because it received no referrals
- Funded specialized project that provided space in shelters for adult trafficking victims.
- Project only supports 25 victims at a time and, as a result, could not accommodate all incoming referrals.
- Victims’ lack of status reduced the effectiveness of victim protection efforts.
- NGOs indicated the problem resulted from the government’s inability to provide long-term residency status for victims.
- Victims forced to apply to remain as asylees — a long process that may ultimately not be successful for many victims.
- When applying for asylum status, victims cannot work
- Important steps were taken to improve collection of comprehensive trafficking statistics by consolidating regional and national level data.
- The government continued to provide specialized programs to police, social services, and other government communities via the revised and updated anti-trafficking toolkit on the Home Office website.
- Police and immigration authorities continued to screen passengers at Heathrow Airport to systematically identify children entering the U.K. who may be at risk.
- In early 2005, the Solicitor General initiated a new focus to target men who solicit sexual services of trafficked women - too early to detect whether this had an effect in preventing trafficking.
Recommendations:
- Government should prioritize establishment of more stable mechanism to regularize victims' status to ensure consistent delivery of services and protection
- Differentiation of trafficking and smuggling statistics needed to better gauge year to year improvements
- NGOs advocated the need to better track child victims in care of Social Services
06-Jun-05
Naked ambition rubs off on teen girls
According to this article:
A survey by mobile entertainment providers " www.thelab.tv " indicates that 63% of girls would rather be glamour models than nurses, doctors or teachers. 25% thought being a lap dancer would be a good profession but only 3% thought that teaching would be.
Blame for the findings is being layed on media coverage of women made famous for their physical attributions rather than their talent or achievements. More 15 - 19 year old girls found "Jordan" and Abi Titmuss as role models than they did JK Rowling or Germaine Greer.
Quote:
"Teenagers are witnessing the likes of Abi Titmuss and Jodie Marsh gracing the covers of their favourite magazines every day, so it is hardly surprising that they want to follow in their footsteps. "Taking your clothes off is now more lucrative than ever and teenagers see it as a great way of making money and becoming famous." ~Fraser Lewry, Lab spokesman
- "Naked ambition rubs off on teen girls" Manchester Online. June 6, 2005
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news
/s/161/161338_naked_ambition_rubs
_off_on_teen_girls.html
07-Jun-05
Big Brother 6: Mary job in brothel
Secret ... Mary worked at massage parlour
According to this article:
Irishwoman, Mary O’Leary, a participant on the Big Brother TV reality show worked at the "Affinity" massage parlour in London and as a lapdancer prior to going on the show. Mary was the first to be booted from the "Big Bruv" house and said she went on the programme because she desperately needed money. A "regular punter", Ron Moody said he recognised her and described a blond Russian girl who offered sex and suggested a threesome with Mary. A friend of Mary's confirmed to Sun reporters that Mary had also worked as a lapdancer.
- Peake, Alex and Sara Nathan. " Big Brother 6: Mary job in brothel " The Sun. June 7, 2005
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004240000-2005260342,00.html
07-Jun-05
Call made over prostitution convictions
Ruhama issued report: "Next Step Initiative". They called on the Irish Government to examine law reform in the area of prostitution and to consider deleting criminal records for prostitution to enable former prostitutes to get jobs.
- RTE.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0607/prostitution.html
07-Jun-05
Plea to help prostitutes get proper jobs
Ruhama issued report: "Next Step Initiative". They called on the Irish Government to examine law reform in the area of prostitution and to consider deleting criminal records for prostitution to enable former prostitutes to get jobs.
- Ireland On-line
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=
62225590&p=6zzz589z
16-Jun-05
Plumbing the Unknown Depths of Child Trafficking
The Scotsman
John-Paul Ford Rojas
Abstract to follow.
- http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4701485
22-Jun-05
Brothel Madam Is Spared Prison - But Stripped of Wealth
Ann O'Brien given 180 hours community service and to pay the prosecution costs of £3,982. A confiscation hearing will be held in November when the Crown is expected to seek up to £1.2 million.
"The committed Christian lived in a top floor penthouse in Upper Berkley Street, central London, and owned a hairdressers called Dream Girl Creations as a front to her illegal business."
- http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4725342
22-Jun-05
Brothel madam who netted £1.2m walks free from court
Ann O'Brien given 180 hours community service and to pay the prosecution costs of £3,982. A confiscation hearing will be held in November when the Crown is expected to seek up to £1.2 million.
"The committed Christian lived in a top floor penthouse in Upper Berkley Street, central London, and owned a hairdressers called Dream Girl Creations as a front to her illegal business."
- Life Style Extra
http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowStory.asp?
story=WU2214311O&news_headline=
brothel_madam_who_netted_%C2%A312m_
walks_free_from_court_
23-Jun-05
Community service for £1.2m brothel owner
Ann O'Brien given 180 hours community service and to pay the prosecution costs of £3,982. A confiscation hearing will be held in November when the Crown is expected to seek up to £1.2 million.
- Cowan, Rosie. "Community service for £1.2m brothel owner" Guardian. June 23, 2005.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/
0,2763,1512422,00.html?gusrc=rss
23-Jun-05
Village fundraiser 'murdered after leaving strip club'
Leamington Spa Today
- http://www.leamingtonspatoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx
23-Jun-05
Five arrested as gardaí swoop in vice probe
Carlow / Wexford
Three "non-national" women & two men arrested by detectives investigating vice ring
- Ireland On-line
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=
147181938&p=y47y8z644
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