Mayor Of London Supports STOP THE TRAFFIK

Technorati Tags: Mayor of London,Boris Johnson

The first ever repatriation to Bangladesh- a historical event!

In the past Bangladeshi’s who have been rescued from prostitution were treated as illegal immigrants and were deported to Bangladesh by the “push back” method, which meant the girls were taken to the border and pushed across, so they then became the problem of the Bangladeshi government. The girls were often left without help or support and sometimes again became victims of abuse by the border patrol guards.

This month, STOP THE TRAFFIK member SACMEP* took part in a historical event - the first ever repatriation to Bangladesh!  *South Asia Centre for Missing and Exploited People

22 girls and 2 infants were safely returned to Bangladesh on 21st April 2008.

Excitement was building up in the government homes where the girls were held, some of the girls had wanted to go home for a long time. The girls were in high spirits and to prepare themselves for the adventure they were putting henna in their hair and on their hands in elaborate patterns. Travel packs were given to each of the girls which included a new outfit, toiletries and a travel bag. When asked about the repatriation the girls answered that they were very happy - especially as they were going on an airplane for the first time!

Many of the girls will face stigma from their communities and time needs to be taken to prepare them for this and also to help sensitize the communities. Many of the girls will not tell their families where they have been and what happened to them in order to protect themselves from rejection and/or ridicule.

Anita’s story:

Anita studied at school until she was 12 years, she then left school as her parents couldn’t afford to fund both her and her brother. Anita decided that she would get a job to help support her family. She was approached by her cousins husband who told her that he could get her work as a domestic servant for 4000rs (£50/$100us) a month in Mumbai. She came happily with the consent of her family. Once she arrived in Mumbai she was not given a job as a domestic servant, she was forced to work in a dance bar and take customers. When she refused she was beaten and starved. A boy who she met in the area proposed to her and she was happy to say yes, however about a week after the wedding he went back to his home village and never returned.

Anita was then sold to a brothel in Kamathipura – Mumbai’s red light district. The police had been watching this brothel and they asked the SACMEP team to assist with the raid. Anita, then aged 16 was rescued. Anita, is one of the girls repatriated to Bangladesh. She was very happy and excited to be returning home and is looking forward to seeing her family, she does not blame them for what happened to her, but she is very angry with the man who trafficked her.

Technorati Tags: Oasis India

Poster Campaign to tackle trafficking for sexual exploitation

Technorati Tags: Sex trafficking,poster campaign,home office,stop the traffik,punter,buying sex

This week a poster campaign has been launched to make those who buy sex to stop and think about paying for sex with trafficked women.

The UK Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: “These women are being treated as commodities and are sold, controlled and exploited by others for a profit. This is totally unacceptable. Trafficking is a vile and evil trade and sex buyers must be made to think twice about the consequences of their actions.”

The poster also appeals to men that if they meet a woman they believe may have been trafficked to report it: “If you’re man enough, call Crimestoppers.”

STOP THE TRAFFIK had a meeting on Tuesday at the EU parliament to work with them to get a similar campaign across Europe.

Chocolate to Die For

10 year old chocolate campaigner

 

Below is a link to a Youtube video Monica, aged 10, and her friends after reading “Chaga And The Chocolate Factory”

Visit www.myspace.com/monicasfriendsforfreedom to read more

Radiohead and MTV team up to raise awareness about people trafficking

Today Radiohead & MTV premier a music video for their track ‘All I Need’ from the album ‘In Rainbows’ to raise awareness about people trafficking. 

“trafficking is a crime which violates the basic rights of its victims: the rights to freedom, equality, and dignity. We endeavor to support and advocate these rights – and empower our audience – through initiatives like MTV EXIT and other MTV projects” Thom Yorke of Radiohead

Watch at http://www.mtv.co.uk/overdrive/id/102830

Croydon Community Against Trafficking (CCAT)

Croydon Community Against Trafficking (CCAT)

Programme Coordinator

Two years Funded Post – Central Croydon

 

Salary: £30,000 p.a. inclusive of London Weighting

 

CCAT, a voluntary organisation dedicated to the elimination of trafficking people for sexual exploitation in Croydon, is seeking a Programme Co-ordinator.

 

This role will demand passion, flexibility, initiative and determination. As our Coordinator you will be integral to the organisation and its networking. Reporting to the steering group and working with group members you will  plan, project-manage and monitor a range of initiatives to prevent and reduce sex trafficking in Croydon thus excellent information handling, presentation, report writing, planning and interpersonal skills are vital.

 

You must have a good understanding of the issues involved in human trafficking, be able to relate well to the Police, to other stakeholders and to the public. Experience of working with the voluntary and statutory sectors is desirable.

 

This is a full time 35 hours a week post including occasional evenings and weekends.  

 

References, health checks and a CRB check will be required,

 

If you welcome this challenge send your detailed up to date CV and the reasons why you will be successful in this role to The CCAT, c/o The Salvation Army, The Citadel, Booth Road, Croydon, CR0 or by email to freedom@topmail.co.uk

Last date for receipt of applications is 23rd May 2008 and interviews will take place on 12^th June 2008.

 

www.theccat.com

Students in Belgium support STOP THE TRAFFIK

Talking to students on trafficking is a great joy and a challenge. How will you inform young people well so they will be motivated to do something?

Last december the GSM school in Munsterbilzen, Belgium invited STOP THE TRAFFIK. We talked about the problem of trafficking to all secondary school students and challenged them to get involved in being the solution. So the whole school got lessons on chocolate and sex. Both have something to do with trafficking. The interaction was great. A few weeks ago we were invited back for a sponsored walk/run. Although the weather did not allow running or walking, teachers and students were able to hand a big cheque for STOP THE TRAFFIK.

The money will be used to support projects on cocoa and sex trafficking.

 

Good job GSM!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a mash up contest, remember? And the winner is…..

Matthew Morrell from Oasis Enfield Academy is the winner of a brand new Nano iPod as part of our Home Grown International Mashup Festival.

You can view the video here

His class spent a day learning about STOP THE TRAFFIK and creating their own viral films from the material on the website. Matthew’s film stood out from the others:

1) It got right to the point
2) It used music from the STT Mashup Website in an effective way
3) We liked it a lot!

So cheers to Matthew, enjoy your Nano and thanks for helping us spread the word about Stop the Traffik.

Technorati Tags: Mash ups, Stop the Traffik

Run For Freedom

On Sunday 31^st March people in Bermuda and London took part in the annual Run For Freedom - running a square mile in London England and Hamilton Bermuda!

 

The event was to raise awareness of people trafficking and support Stop The Traffik.

 

Check out more photos from the day at ‘Run For Freedom’ facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6141881282. 

 

A huge thank you to Charlotte Wilberforce (yes the great, great, great Grandaughter of William Wilberforce) who holds the vision for Run For Freedom and makes it happen.  Also, to all of you who took part in the day.