Newsletter September 2008
Dear friends of STOP,
To a large number, the sex slave trade is perceived as a problem of countries in conflict. This naïveté masks the truth that the sex slave trade exists and flourishes in “civilized” countries too. Although the roots of human trafficking can often be found in the socio-economic crises of the victims’ native lands, the trade in human flesh is facilitated by discrimination and indifference – and these are prevalent throughout the world. What the victims of the sex slave trade endure is an affront to human dignity and challenges the morality of every nation, every race and every community.
We have decided to examine and showcase the state of human trafficking on our blog, nation by nation. For those of you who do not have the time to log on to our website, we will choose one or two countries on which to focus for our newsletters. This month, the focus is on France.
Upcoming Events:
In November Celhia de Lavarene, the founder of STOP, will be traveling to Paris where she will be meeting with members of the National Assembly who, under the impetus of Henriette Martinez (MP for the Haute-Alpes departement), have shown in interest in our cause. The aim of the conference is to identify the best fundraising methods so that we will finally be able to open our support centers.
In London Celhia will be opening a bank account for STOP at the Lloyd’s Bank.
In Nicosia she will be attending and participating in an international conference on the sex slave trade, sponsored by such organizations as STOP, the Anti-trafficking Movement, l’ACEES and Friends of Humanity. The conference will be held from November 19-21. Celhia will moderate at a round table discussion and will discourse on the global state of human trafficking.
The Good News:
We are thrilled to announce that Henriette Martinez (MP for the Hautes-Alpes departement) has agreed to join our STOP Board of Directors.
Our new website is fully operational and we would like to extend a huge thank you to Benoit Bacuvier, a young businessman for Snow Globe. Despite the long hours he spends at work, he still gave his time to work on and update our website – this was an invaluable gift, and we are so thankful.
Sonia Rykiel, a long-time supporter of women’s rights, and Nathalie, her daughter, have offered to become a sponsor and invested themselves in our cause and displayed “Un Visa Pour l’Enfer” in their boutique window on the Boulevard St-Germain, Paris.
Flash Back:
In November of 2007, Celhia was in Nicosia to attend a conference on human trafficking and met Brenda, a young woman from Colombia who had been lured to Cyprus with the promise of a well-paying job only to find herself forced into prostitution in a nightclub. At the first chance she escaped, and with the help of an orthodox priest, found refuge in the only shelter on the island.
Brenda recently sent a note to Celhia, and to others who helped her. We are proud to relay her message in her own words:
“I want to make you participant of my new course in my life.
I am very pleased to inform you that I have been accepted as a full-time student for the Bachelor Degree in Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing at the University of Nicosia for the fall semester 2008.
I start classes on next Monday.
Thank you for doing of this desire a fact.”
Translation:
“I wanted to inform you that I have been admitted to the University of Nicosia, where I’ll be pursuing a degree in public relations, communications and marketing. I’ve started my classes. Thank you for having helped me to turn my wish into reality.”
Breaking News:
The Cypriot Minister of the Interior, Mr. Silikiotis, abolished the artist visa. He had promised Celhia a year ago, on her trip to the island, that he would do so. Remember that the artist visa was issued by unscrupulous immigration officials and used towards the end of forced prostitution.
Focus on France:
France is a destination country. Romania, Bulgaria, Nigeria, Cameroon, and other nations in Eastern Europe and Africa are the primary source countries for women trafficked for sexual exploitation, although some South American and Asian women are also trafficked to France. According the US State Department, a majority of the estimated 18,000 women in France’s commercial sex trade are likely victims of trafficking. Romania and Bulgaria are the primary source countries for men trafficked to France for sexual exploitation. There are reports that French Guiana is a destination for women and children trafficked from Brazil for sexual exploitation.
Article 225 of the French penal code states that human traffickers will face 7-20 years in prison, and fines of 150,000 to 3 million euros (the more severe penalties are for those operating in an organized trafficking ring). However, judges have a tendency to treat these criminals with the charges for procuring rather than for sexual slavery.
All of us at STOP thank you for your support and interest in our cause. More than ever, we need your help.