A teenage girl was raped 90 times in one weekend it has been revealed, in a shocking report into modern-day slavery in the UK.
The report, due to be published tomorrow by the Centre for Social
Justice, contains evidence from the girl, who was 16 at the time she was
taken into slavery and raped by 90 men.
The girl, who gave evidence to the committee despite still being ‘deeply
traumatised’ by the attacks, did not come from a background which put
her at risk, but became enslaved after befriending girls vulnerable to
abuse, it has been reported.
Andrew Wallis, chairman of the working group that produced the
report, would only tell the committee the girl ‘is now safe’ when asked
what had happened to her since the attacks, according to the Sunday
Times.
The report claims efforts to tackle modern slavery in the UK, including
the sexual exploitation of children, are in a state of crisis.
The CSJ, an independent think-tank set
up by Iain Duncan Smith, has attacked the Government for its
‘inadequate response’ to the issue after the investigation uncovered a
‘shocking underworld’ of human trafficking.’
Its study found more than 1,000 adults and children were trafficked
into or within the UK in 2011/2012, but the figure could be ‘only the
tip of the iceberg’.
Among the cases were British and foreign victims who had been forced into the sex trade, a life of crime or domestic labour.
British girls trafficked within Britain for the sex trade made up nearly
one half of all UK slavery victims in the latest set of figures.
Christian Guy, managing director of the CSJ, said: ‘Our research has
uncovered a shocking underworld in which children and adults, many of
them UK citizens, have been forced into lives of utter degradation.
‘Yet the authorities are either failing to understand the nature of this
abuse or turning a blind eye to its existence. Our once great nation of
abolitionists is a shameful shadow of its former self.
The think-tank is campaigning for a radical overhaul of measures to
combat 21st century slavery, including bringing all human trafficking
and modern slavery offences together.
It added that victims should be encouraged to come forward without the
threat of facing prosecution over immigration breaches or crimes they
have committed since being trafficked.
More training is also needed to ensure police officers, immigration
officials and social workers recognise the scale and nature of the
problem.
It added that victims should be encouraged to come forward without
the threat of facing prosecution over immigration breaches or crimes
they have committed since being trafficked.
More training is also needed to ensure police officers, immigration
officials and social workers recognise the scale and nature of the
problem.
Mr Guy said: ‘We have been alarmed to learn that British children
being trafficked within the country are often viewed as somehow being
complicit in their exploitation. This is absurd and unacceptable.
‘Elements of control in these cases can be subtle and difficult to identify; this control frequently takes the form of sexual and
other forms of violence, physical or emotional abuse, threats of
violence towards family members or threats of public shaming.’
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said the Government has already made significant progress in fighting trafficking.
She said: ‘Human trafficking is abhorrent and the UK Government is committed to combating this crime in all its forms.
‘Investment in training for front line professionals to identify and
refer victims, improvements in data collection, work with the private
sector to protect workers and more personalised care and support for
victims are already making a real difference.
‘But the Government is not complacent and we will continue to work to
improve and strengthen our approach to keep pace with emerging threats.’
That is really fascinating, You're an excessively skilled blogger. I've joined your feed and look
ReplyDeleteforward to in the hunt for more of your magnificent
post. Also, I've shared your site in my social networks
My page; how to get your ex back fast
I love what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and exposure!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good works guys I've incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
Also visit my homepage; nexus7wiki.com