Alnwick vicar urges sex trafficking clampdown

Posted by The Journal on Jan 20, 09 04:43 PM in News

The Government is to be urged to crackdown vigorously on sex trafficking into Britain during the 2012 Olympic Games in a Church of England debate warning of the "truly horrific" experience during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Rev Canon Michael Webb, from Alnwick, will ask the General Synod of the Church of England to back calls for effective measures to prevent sex workers being trafficked into Britain during the 2012 Games.

He will speak on behalf of Newcastle and Winchester Diocesan Synods, in a motion calling on the General Synod to "recognise and deplore" the continuing evil of human trafficking, especially of children and young people.

The motion says that it supports the "vigorous implementation" of the UK action plan on tackling human trafficking.

A briefing paper in support of the motion highlighted the "truly horrific" experience in Germany during the 2006 World Cup when it said "mega brothels" housing up to 100 women and operating 24 hours a day were built.

Regional and city officials were involved in planning and providing "sex huts" or "sex garages" for prostitution during this time, the briefing said, with 40,000 prostitutes expected to be brought into Germany during the games.

Many of the women in prostitution in Germany are trafficked, it said, and many of the additional women brought in for the World Cup were trafficked as well.

"Aware of the campaign to legalise prostitution and brothels in South Africa in time for the 2010 Football World Cup, we wish to support and encourage HM Government to do everything in its power to ensure that nothing like this is allowed to happen in our cities," it said.

The debate will take place at the General Synod meeting next month in central London.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "We are aware that the preparation for the 2012 Olympics could attract criminals who seek to profit from the fact that hospitality, catering and construction workers are required, as well as the risk of an increase in prostitution including those who have been trafficked.

"Initial risk assessments have recognised potential risks created by London holding the Olympic Games and the UK Human Trafficking Centre and Soca, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency are already engaged in working with those leading on the Olympics to build a forward looking intelligent picture.

"This will enable a realistic assessment of the likelihood of a trafficking problem, possible volumes and whether there is a need for bespoke measures.

"This will ensure that there is a response that is proportionate to the threat posed."

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