Festival of Politics event
Speakers:
Kate Allen (Amnesty International)
John Wilkes (Scottish Refugee Council)
Ann Hamilton (TARA Project)
As the official launch of an Amnesty International report entitled
Scotland’s Slaves, this event attracted a large
and enthusiastic crowd. Hosted by Hugh O’Donnell MSP in his capacity as
co-convener of the cross party group on asylum seekers and refugees, it
featured addresses by the three key speakers and a short question and
answer session.
Kate Allen began by describing some of the findings of the Amnesty report. She recounted how Glasgow has the highest number of sex workers in the UK outside London, 50 per cent of whom are from overseas, with many suspected to be victims of trafficking. Yet despite two operations (called Pentameter) by Scottish police arresting 37 people in connection with the sex trade and women from overseas, there has yet to be a conviction.
One point that all speakers were keen to emphasise is that victims of trafficking, especially those involved in the sex trade, often do not fit stereotypes common in the public imagination.
Ann Hamilton of the TARA Project, which works with prostitutes and sex workers in Glasgow, described how many women trafficked into the sex trade are actually held in debt bondage by partners, or men they consider themselves to be in a relationship with. She also said that the need to “just get on with it” meant that many sex workers, even those being held against their will, could appear to be relatively ‘normal’ emotionally.
Allen said this factor, when combined with the hidden nature of many trafficked people, meant that “it could be happening in your street and you wouldn’t even know it.” She also said that police had expressed their frustration at being unable to secure convictions, and that “the more they look for it, the more they find it.”
Wilkes spoke about the need for policy to be updated in order to deal with children and young people who have been trafficked, and highlighted the problems facing such young people after they turn 16 as a major issue. He singled out the practice of deporting young people whose asylum applications have been rejected even after they have lived in the UK for a number of years as particularly problematic.
One person has commented on this article. 1. Human Trafficking - Scotland 's 21st Century Slaves
Anonymous, Unregistered Shocking facts! Awareness must be increased - this abuse must not be tolerated.
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