Ruhama probes 26 trafficking claims
Almost half (12) of the new victims identified came from Nigeria. While most were aged 20-30, one was just 15 years when she was located, while another admitted she had been trafficked while still a minor but had reached adulthood by the time Ruhama encountered her.
Of the 26, Ruhama established that 19 women were destined for Ireland, two each for Britain and France, and three for Italy.
Of the 19 women who were destined for Ireland, 11 were located in Dublin, with the remainder at various locations nationwide.
Overall, Ruhama worked with 196 women in prostitution in 2009, 22% higher than the 161 it supported in the previous year.
The 2009 total was made up of women in off- and on-street prostitution, victims of sex trafficking and women with a history of prostitution.
Ruhama worked with 31 new women who did not claim to have been trafficked but who needed support. Of those, eight were Irish, 12 were African and six were Romanian.
Ruhama chief executive Sarah Benson said no matter whether women were trafficked or not, there were a number of similarities in how the sex industry damaged them.
“Women in 2009 reported horrific levels of sexual, physical and emotional abuse,” she said.
“The reporting of rape and sexual assault was almost universal, many women also experienced sexual abuse as children and young women; some were groomed by family members and partners into prostitution.”
She said women had reported being punched in the face, the stomach, being kicked down stairs, beaten for refusing to have sex with men, being locked in and refused food, being burned and being bitten.
“Women were told by buyers that they were ‘ugly’, ‘not very good’, that they ‘should at least try to look like you’re enjoying it’ while their bodies were used in whatever way the buyer wished,” said Ms Benson.
To highlight her point, Ruhama released the story of Yvonne, who, like many women, was abused before turning to prostitution to support herself.
“I had been beaten and robbed and raped over the years but the end came for me when a guy threw me into the back of his van and tied me up and took me up the mountains and raped me,” she said.
“I was so certain that I was going to die.”
Ruhama has expressed fears for its ability to continue to offer the level of support required to the women who approach it.
“The reality is that Ruhama’s funding has come under serious pressure through significant cuts, up to 20%, from our statutory funders in 2010,” said Ms Benson.
“And the increasing challenge of fundraising in the current climate as we strive to continue to meet the needs of a highly vulnerable, socially marginalised group.
“Given the scale of abuse experienced by women affected by prostitution and the degree of trauma and harm sustained, the work Ruhama does with women can be slow as trust, healing, self-esteem, well- being and positive hope for the future are gradually fostered.”
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