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Jane McKeon Development Worker

Jane McKeon Development Worker. Introduction to Ruhama. Est 1989 Work with Women affected by Prostitution Based in Dublin, work nationwide Work with average 200+ women a year. Introduction to Ruhama. Our client group includes women… currently involved in prostitution

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Jane McKeon Development Worker

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  1. Jane McKeon Development Worker

  2. Introduction to Ruhama Est 1989 Work with Women affected by Prostitution Based in Dublin, work nationwide Work with average 200+ women a year

  3. Introduction to Ruhama Our client group includes women… • currently involved in prostitution • exiting prostitution • with a history of prostitution • victims of trafficking

  4. Introduction to Ruhama Philosophy The Dignity and Respectof the Person Prostitution: Violation of Human Rights Violence against Women

  5. Sex Trafficking happens within the context of the Irish Sex Trade

  6. Reality of Irish Sex Trade • Most prostitution is off-street (flats, apartments, massage parlours), street based in urban areas. • Expansion of sex trade nationwide, cross border & to rural communities • The majority of women in the sex trade are migrant women.

  7. Reality of Irish Sex Trade The internet and mobile phone plays a huge role in helping pimps & traffickers organise their business. Brothels appear to operate in ‘single units’ but organised network behind the scenes.

  8. Example of Advertisement on Escort WebsiteWoman from Africa available 24/7

  9. Profile of Women • Age:17 – 50 + (average late teens/20’s) • Nationality: Irish but majority from countries in Europe, S America, Africa, Asia. • Residency status: Legal or Undocumented

  10. Profile of Women • The majority of women are not ‘Independent’ but are controlled by 3rd party (Pimp or Trafficker) • Her controller (Pimp/Trafficker): Boyfriend or Stranger, Male or Female, Individual or Organized Criminal Gang.

  11. Profile of Women • Controlled -The methods of control varies, violence or the threat of violence is always real (Juju/Debt) • Those at the high end of the scale of control have to be - Available to buyers 24/7 - No choice regarding buyers or services - Only allowed keep small % money - Constant monitoring by trafficker/pimp - Moved around constantly (control & demand)

  12. Profile of Women Issues: • Drug use (Chaotic lifestyle*) • Homeless * • Poverty (Debt)

  13. Profile of Women Issues: • Mental Health – PTS, Depression, Bipolar or other disorders • Experience abusive relationships (emotional, physical or sexual)

  14. Profile of Women Issues: • Low self esteem • Lack of education or poor employment opportunities

  15. Profile of Women Issues: • Social Isolation • Stigma attached to prostitution • How prostitution is organised (moved regularly/in house on her own/only contact people involved in sex trade) • Far from home, the familiar and their networks.

  16. Profile of Women Issues: • Groomed into the sex trade by their exploiters, where they develops a false loyalty to their pimp or trafficker, believing they are ‘their protector’ from authorities or ‘employer/employee’ relationship.

  17. Profile of women • Some of the issues (poverty/abuse) just outlined were present in the woman’s life prior to getting involved in prostitution and were influencing factors in her entry into the sex trade, while others are as a direct result of being involved in prostitution.

  18. Women’s choice & prostitution No ChoiceMake choice ---------------Choice------------------- AbductionForce Coercion Lack of Options or Real Alternatives

  19. The Harm of Prostitution No matter where women are, on the continuum of choice; – whether ‘forced’ or made decisions to enter prostitution, it is harmful.

  20. The Harm of Prostitution • Psychological and physical harm of engaging in humiliating, degrading and violent acts. • The use of physical substances or psychological mechanisms to survive in prostitution are harmful in themselves.

  21. The Harm of Prostitution • Repeated physical and sexual assaults – (the risk of murder is always real and present) • Intimidation & control from pimps.

  22. Ruhama’s Services to VoT Our assistance depends on the stage of trafficking experience: Still in the sex trade Just escaped/rescued Gone from trafficking situation a number or weeks, months or years.

  23. Flow of Referrals – Casework with VoT Referral Source - Social worker, Garda, Doctor, AHTT RLS, Migrant Groups Self, Peer Ruhama assesses case and depending on the stage of the identification process, we refer woman to following agencies Independent legal advisors Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Housing agencies, Education & training providers, Childcare providers, Other Official NRM of ‘potential’ victim of sex trafficking HSE Anti Human Trafficking Team (AHTT) Women’s Health Service (WHS) Refugee Legal Services (RLS) IOM Refugee Integration Hostel (RIA)

  24. Ireland’s Response to Human Trafficking 2013 TIP Report “Ireland (Tier 1) is a destination source, & transit country for women, men & children subject to sex trafficking & forced labour”(pg 205) 32 new trafficking investigations in 2012 53 new trafficking investigations in 2011 NGOs – lack of proactive identification by law enforcement personnel & over-reliance on immigration authorities to identify potential VOTs. Greta Report 2013 Irish government may be underestimating the real scale of human trafficking in Ireland. Report criticised Irish Government for ‘very low’ numbers of pimps being prosecuted for trafficking.

  25. National Referral Mechanism 60 Day reflection period for non –EU national trafficking victims – time to recover before deciding whether to assist authorities. HSE not NGOs have case management of VOTs, MOU in place. Eligibility Determination re potential VOT by government agencies can take a long time. Ruhama referred all new VOTs to the Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2011(22) & 2012 (19).

  26. National Referral Mechanism • VOT accommodated in same hostels as asylum seekers • Many potential VOTs encounter authorities but are not identified as such until years later. • 6 month temporary residency status given • + child protection system strengthened for unaccompanied minors – foster care,

  27. Ruhama’s Services • One to one key worker approach • Crisis accommodation • Assessment & Referral • Practical & Material Assistance

  28. Ruhama’s Services • Advocacy – social welfare, residency, health etc • Accompaniment for victims participating in the criminal justice process • Repatriation - We offer women practical and emotional assistance as they prepare to return home. We make efforts to set up support services in the woman’s country of origin, prior to her travel home.

  29. Ruhama’s Services to VoT • Emotional and psychological assistance – Counselling/personal development classes - STEPS • Befriending • Exiting Strategy/Rebuilding their lives - Education & training - Literacy, Computers, Maths Career Guidance/Study support/CV/Work Preparation course - Shaping Your Future • Resettlement – access to long term accommodation & social welfare benefits. Support in independent living. Budgeting.

  30. Ruhama’s Services to VoT • Awareness Raising – media, students, conferences etc • Policy Work • Campaigns – Turn Off the Red Light

  31. Contact Details 00 353 1 836 02 92 www.ruhama.ie

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