Conservatives have launched a campaign to highlight the plight of trafficked women. During the Conservative Women’s conference Caroline Spelman chaired a discussion on international human rights and then she and the Shadow Minister for Women Eleanor Laing launched the poster campaign highlighting the issue.
A survey carried out by the Eves Housing charity discovered that the number of women being illegally trafficked into this country by criminal gangs was far higher than first thought. Once trafficked these women are forced into a life of prostitution. The survey found 8,500 trafficked prostitutes working in London and 1,400 working in the West Midlands.
Speaking on the launch of the poster campaign Caroline Spelman said, “This issue must come up the public agenda. We urge the government to do all it can to raise awareness, help victims and altogether stop this deplorable traffic of women.
“Our women’s organisation is a campaigning organisation which was successful in raising awareness of domestic violence and is now trying to reach out abroad and at home to stop this deplorable trade.”
Eleanor Laing, added, "There are many thousands of women in Britain today who are victims of trafficking and who are being forced to work as prostitutes. Conservative women are launching an information campaign to increase awareness of the terrible plight of these women and girls and to try to help them. We are simply providing a contact phone number through Crime Stoppers.
“If our efforts manage to save just one girl then it will have been worthwhile, but I sincerely hope that the campaign will help many more than that. The Crime Stoppers number is 0800 555 1111 and anyone can call it anonymously at any time.”