Sex slaves held captive across the North, say police

Foreign women are being imprisoned in homes across the North and forced to work as sex slaves, the police warned today.

Women from Africa, Eastern Europe and the Far East have been rescued from local brothels run by international crime gangs in the last year, officers revealed.

They are among 11 victims of human trafficking that have been found in the region in 12 months.

Assistant chief constable Drew Harris detailed the extent of the illegal sex trade at the launch of a new support service to help victims.

The officer said the brothels effectively doubled as prisons.

“They are being held in captivity,” he said. “They live in fear of awful violence as well, we know an awful lot of violence is inflicted on them by those holding them and there’s the threat of violence either to them or even to their families back home.”

The ACC said it was not correct to call the women prostitutes.

“Prostitute is not an appropriate term because these women are being forced into this and they are just continual victims of rape. This is not about consensual sexual activity at all.”

He said officers had uncovered brothels in very unexpected locations, many of them in rural areas.

“People could have a brothel quite close to them and they should be aware of that – that there could actually be one of these brothels with women in it in the most awful circumstances operating quite close to them,” he added.

Mr Harris said while international gangs were organising the racket, many local criminals were assisting them.

“They (the gangs) are targeting females in sub Saharan Africa or eastern Europe or even in the Far East with the promise of a far better life and education and employment here in Northern Ireland and when they are actually brought here they are forced then into prostitution and then in effect have to pay off their debt surrounding their movement from wherever it is into Northern Ireland.”

He added: “Massive profits are made from this so we can expect that this will be a continuing problem for us.”

Security minister Paul Goggins joined ACC Harris at the launch of the new care services for victims of human trafficking rescued in the North.

The new package of support, which is launched next month, is funded by the Government with support from the PSNI and will be delivered by Women’s Aid Federation (NI) and The Migrant Helpline.

They will offer access to secure accommodation, healthcare and counselling for victims of human trafficking.

Minister Goggins said victims of trafficking should not be reluctant to contact the authorities because they are concerned about being deported.

He said that issue was being “taken off the table” to enable help to be given to the women.

“Northern Ireland is no longer immune from the vile crime of human trafficking,” he said.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery. All the law enforcement agencies in the Organised Crime Task Force are working as one to catch the criminal gangs who are profiting out of human misery and suffering.

“We are also committed to supporting the victims of human trafficking and the measures that I am introducing will deliver a victim-led and comprehensive package of care and support services.

“The welfare of victims rescued from this vile trade will be given the highest priority. The new and extensive system of expert support that we are putting in place will help victims recover and rebuild their lives.”

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland will look after adult female victims of sexual trafficking recovered in the North.

Migrant Helpline will look after adult male victims of sexual trafficking and all victims of labour trafficking recovered in the North.

Director of the Women’s Aid Federation Annie Campbell welcomed the initiative, which brings the UK into line with EU agreements on tackling human trafficking.

“They (the victims) come from other countries but have been brought here in a deceptive way and cruel way and treated with the most unimaginable cruelty,” she said.

“We believe it is a form of slavery in the 21st Century.”