Source: The Guardian
Salvation Army findings contradict public perception that crime predominantly affects women who are being sexually exploited
Salvation Army findings contradict public perception that crime predominantly affects women who are being sexually exploited
Men account for 41% of adult human trafficking victims in England
and Wales, according to the Salvation Army.
Photograph: OJO Images / Rex Features
and Wales, according to the Salvation Army.
Photograph: OJO Images / Rex Features
Men account for more than two-fifths (41%) of adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales helped by the
Salvation Army, contrary to the public perception that the crime almost exclusively affects women.
Salvation Army, contrary to the public perception that the crime almost exclusively affects women.
The finding comes in a survey by the charity, which
provides specialist support for the adult victims of
trafficking on behalf the Ministry of Justice.
The Salvation Army, which began the support service six
months ago, also dealt with the first recorded case of an
individual being trafficked to Britain to have their organs harvested. The case, involving an unnamed woman brought
to the UK by an organised gang, is understood to be the
subject of a police investigation, the Telegraph reports.
months ago, also dealt with the first recorded case of an
individual being trafficked to Britain to have their organs harvested. The case, involving an unnamed woman brought
to the UK by an organised gang, is understood to be the
subject of a police investigation, the Telegraph reports.
The charity's survey found that 45% of those it supported
had been forced into sexual exploitation, 43% were involved
in labour exploitation and 8% were trafficked into domestic servitude.
had been forced into sexual exploitation, 43% were involved
in labour exploitation and 8% were trafficked into domestic servitude.
This contradicted a survey of English and Welsh adults
carried out by YouGov, which found that respondents
thought 29% of all trafficked victims in England and
Wales were male, and 68% of all trafficked victims were
sexually exploited.
carried out by YouGov, which found that respondents
thought 29% of all trafficked victims in England and
Wales were male, and 68% of all trafficked victims were
sexually exploited.
Between 1 July and 31 December 2011, the Salvation
Army and its 12 subcontractors provided housing support, counselling, medical care, translation services and legal counselling to 112 women and 78 men.
Army and its 12 subcontractors provided housing support, counselling, medical care, translation services and legal counselling to 112 women and 78 men.
The victims came from all over the world, with 58% from]
eastern Europe, 25% from Africa, 12% from Asia and
4% from within the UK.
eastern Europe, 25% from Africa, 12% from Asia and
4% from within the UK.
Major Anne Read, the Salvation Army's anti-trafficking
response co-ordinator, said: "Male or female, we are
helping all people caught up in all types of trafficking to
get them the support they need, when they need it."
response co-ordinator, said: "Male or female, we are
helping all people caught up in all types of trafficking to
get them the support they need, when they need it."
Minister for justice, Crispin Blunt, said: "Human trafficking
is often seen as predominantly affecting women – meaning
that male victims are often overlooked and are forced to go without the support they so desperately need."
is often seen as predominantly affecting women – meaning
that male victims are often overlooked and are forced to go without the support they so desperately need."
Two male victims from the Czech Republic were trafficked
to the UK into forced labour after answering a newspaper
advert for work as factory supervisors in England. They
were sold several times to other gangmasters within
the UK.
to the UK into forced labour after answering a newspaper
advert for work as factory supervisors in England. They
were sold several times to other gangmasters within
the UK.
The Salvation Army gave them temporary accommodation
and support until they moved to Scotland to start a new life.
and support until they moved to Scotland to start a new life.
Aleksander said the Salvation Army saved him. "It's sad
but it's true; there are hundreds of people with similar
stories to me, people who have been fraudulently bought
and sold," he said.
but it's true; there are hundreds of people with similar
stories to me, people who have been fraudulently bought
and sold," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment