Dear
Friends,
The sexual
exploitation of vulnerable children is happening somewhere
near you. I therefore write to bring to your attention an
important conference being held by Voice for Justice UK on
the topic of combating sex trafficking. The date is
Saturday, April 13, 2013, and it is to be held at St
Aldate’s church in the centre of
Oxford.
See here for
all details: http://www.vfjuk.org/#!events/c8ui
Trafficking,
as you may know, is broadly defined in British law as any
intentional act of recruitment involving the threat or use
of force or coercion for the purposes of exploitation.
This means it includes all cases of deliberate sexual
exploitation, whether involving children and young people
brought into the country from abroad, or internal rings
deliberately grooming vulnerable youngsters for the purposes
of prostitution or paedophilia - including abuse by people
such as Jimmy Savile and others in the entertainment
world. The problems are complex, vicious, and largely
hidden - though in the last couple of years a number of such
rings have been exposed, resulting in criminal investigation
and prosecution nationwide. Indeed, a grooming ring
based in Oxford is currently undergoing trial at the Old
Bailey, with sentencing expected soon.
All
these situations are a scandal that should not be happening
in our society. You may think that where you live is
immune to these kinds of problems, but without doubt, the
sexual exploitation of vulnerable children is happening
somewhere near you, and as a society now we need to be able
to recognise what is happening, and take action to deal with
it.
The aim of
Fighting Sexual Exploitation is threefold. First, to
raise awareness, giving people a realistic idea of the scale
of the problem and the underlying reasons that have led to
this shocking development in 21st century Britain.
Second, to help people recognise when and where it is taking
place. And third, to link people up, encourage
existing initiatives – and maybe help birth some new
and effective strategies to help survivors. Voice for
Justice UK wants to reclaim our streets, make Britain safe,
and help the victims of this appalling
abuse.
The
politicians tell us that all is well in the state of Britain
(apart from the economy of course), where the Equality and
Human Rights Commission, and the advisors on diversity,
tolerance, non- discrimination, and inclusion are putting us
at the very cutting edge of a progressive 21st
century; but there is no voice for justice, righteousness
and truth. This is silenced
I urge you if
at all possible to attend, to see what you can do to help to
make this voice heard, in your communities and schools.
There's a great range of speakers – including
politicians Jim Dobbin and Michael Connarty, both working
with trafficking issues, a serving officer with the Met,
social analysts, and specialists on the ground working with
survivors. Full details and online booking can be
found at the VfJUK website :
See
attachment for directions and parking
For further
enquiries contact 01793 862120
David
Skinner
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