Put needs of trafficked women and children first
STUC: by Kate Ramsden
Congress strongly condemned the trafficking of women and
children for sexual and other exploitation and pledged action
to tackle this scourge and ensure that victims are supported,
traffickers are prosecuted and those buying sex are penalised.
Speaking in support of the General Council motion and UNISON’s
amendment, John Stevenson told congress of UNISON’s campaign,
along with other organisations, to ensure that the rights
and protection due to all children in Scotland under the
Children Scotland Act was made a reality. However a few
years ago, the reality was that displaced children were
second class and their welfare was regularly undermined.
“Since then we have come a long way in a short time, from
a situation that should never have existed to one that is
getting better.
“It is a great victory for us to hear politicians from
all parties nowadays referring to the child’s welfare as
paramount.” John warned, however, that there is still much
to be done; that children are still set up for deportation
at 17, which means that many will end up back in the harm
they were fleeing or in the clutches of those who exploited
them in the first place.
“That goes for adults too,” said John, asking why, if
women feel rescued, so many of them disappear shortly afterwards.
“Are you really being rescued if your immigration status
decides whether you are supported or deported?”
A key element in really protecting trafficked women and
children is the “reflection period” in the Council of Europe
Convention, and he called for an extension on the current
45 day period to 90 days as called for by both UNICEF and
Amnesty.
He highlighted trafficked women and children’s need for
real independent advice and called for a review system which
puts “the needs of women first and the welfare of children
paramount”. ..More on
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