briefing note
15 May 2012
How can we stop sex trafficking in Northern Ireland? Northern Ireland has the fastest growing sex industry in Europe with many of the victims having been trafficked. Since April 2011, the PSNI have discovered and released 27 victims of trafficking, but this is thought to be just the tip of the iceberg. Those found guilty of using a prostitute or trafficked woman subjected to force can be fined a maximum of £1000, but are often let off with a warning. Evangelical Alliance is working together with others to change the law on trafficking in Northern Ireland. We are proposing that those found guilty of using a trafficked person for forced sex should face prison and be put on the sex offenders register. Increased sanctions will make users think twice, limiting demand and making significant steps in stopping this trade. Recent statistics have shown the rapid increase in sex trafficking in Northern Ireland. It is estimated that £500,000 is spent every week here on illegal prostitution. 70% of trafficked victims rescued in Northern Ireland in the last three years were sexual slaves (1). This is an horrific trade often hidden from the public eye. This is also part of a wider global problem. There are more slaves in the world today than when slavery was abolished in 1807 – an estimated 27 million people. Trafficking involves three groups – traffickers, victims and users. A coordinated response must deal with all three aspects of the trafficking triangle. Victims must be rescued and cared for, traffickers must be pursued and brought to justice, but the missing link is often the men who use these women. Detective Superintendent Philip Marshall has urged that the words ‘client’ or ‘punter’ should be replaced with ‘exploiters’ or even ‘rapists’ (2).
TRAFFICKERS
USERS
VICTIMS