Cut it out

I love this excellent and very practical campaign from ALOVE UK, the Salvation Army for a New Generation to stand against trafficking by refusing to accept adverts for the sex industry in their local papers.




Human trafficking to fuel the demands of the sex industry takes place on a daily basis and we need to Cut it Out. A letter from the SCD9 Human Exploitation and Organised Crime unit at New Scotland Yard dated 25th November 2010 states:

It is clear (from our investigations) that advertising in newspapers can play a key role in facilitating the exploitation of trafficked victims. The adverts in question often purport to be massage parlours, saunas or escort agencies, but are in reality a front for criminal networks to advertise trafficked victims for sexual services. Consequently it is vital that we tackle this area as part of our overarching strategy to reduce trafficking in London.

This is why we want to see an end to advertising in this way!

The campaign seeks to tackle these adverts by targeting the editors responsible for the newspapers running the adverts, suggesting that people cut out and send the adverts the editor with a letter stating:

As a newspaper editor you have a huge responsibility in terms of the adverts that you allow to be placed in your newspaper. Please help us see an end to modern day slavery by ‘cutting out’ these types of adverts. We ask that you don’t plead ignorance when it comes to something as important as this. Please do your bit to improve the lives of those trapped in human trafficking for sexual exploitation. 

Advertising these establishments fuels the sex industry which will result in people being trafficked to fill the places required by these establishments. I am writing to you to ask that you end advertising in this way in your newspaper.

What a great idea! Why not download a suggested letter template and send one off yourself?

Only, don't send one to the Finchley and Hendon Times (or any other Newsquest publications for that matter), because I already contacted the editor and had this very encouraging response.

In fact, they haven't since 2008 and you can read about it here. So that's one family of papers down - who's next?

From slavery to Independence Day

Great to see so many of you at our Coffee Republic gathering last week - our second highest turnout (after our Blood in the Mobile film screening back in the Spring).

I hope you found it encouraging to learn more about the work of International Justice Mission to tackle trafficking and slavery around the world. I was particularly impressed by their commitment not just to rescuing slaves, but to restoring human beings and the stories of those whose lives had been turned around through the efforts of IJM teams. If you didn't already sign up for updates, you can keep up to date with International Justice Mission UK via their website. Carol also highlighted an event this Wednesday that people might be interested in attending - the launch of a new government advocacy campaign with a talk from the Field Office Director of IJM Kenya. Details are in the flyer (download here) if you are interested. If anyone goes, do let us know - maybe you could share an update at the next gathering?

Something else you could attend this week, also on the theme of trafficking, is a screening tomorrow night (Tuesday) of a new documentary film called Nefarious: Merchant of Souls: "From initial recruitment to victim liberation - and everything in between - the previously veiled underworld of sex slavery is uncovered in [this] ground breaking, tell-all [documentary]." Sara and I are planning on going. Tickets are £10 in advance and the screening starts at 6:30pm in Leicester Square. More details are available on the film's website.

If neither of those appeal, then this week is also an excellent opportunity to get together with each other in smaller gatherings. As you know, we are keen for members to think about forming 2to4 Groups - self-organised spaces for folk to spend time getting to know each other better. This might be as simple as grabbing a coffee with couple of others and sharing what's going on in your week, going for a meal together or something themed around a particular issue or campaign. There aren't any set rules (though St Barnabas Church has published some handy guidelines), the purpose is simply to establish deeper relationships and more meaningful community between our members.

Our next first Weds of the month session is on 4th July and so coincides with American Independence Day. For fun, we propose joining up with the young adult network from St Barnabas for their 4th July BBQ. This will take place at the bungalow next to St Barnabas Church (42 Holden Road) from 7:30pm. I know that some of our members might consider themselves beyond the 'young adult' bracket, but Ryan said that we are all welcome to join in regardless. There will be live music from the excellent Feltoes' Folk (featuring our own Mike Dore and Lizzie's husband, Andy). Bring something to throw on the barbecue and wear something 'American'...

Final thing (phew): our Coffee Republic session in July will be on the 18th and will be on the subject of older people (exact details to be confirmed). With a guest speaker from AgeUK, this will be our last official session before the summer, so please make it along and help us end the term with a bang. More details anon.

That's all for now - have a great week!