A government minister is to ask members of the Women's Institute (WI) across England to help root out sleazy adverts in their local newspapers.
The minister for women is to ask members of the Women's Institute (WI) across England to help root out sleazy adverts in their local newspapers.
Minister for Women Harriet Harman is concerned about the numbers of adverts selling sex with foreign women.
Harriet Harman is concerned about adverts selling sex with foreign women, many of whom may have been trafficked and forced into prostitution.
She will say that many of these women are trafficked into this country and forced into prostitution.
In a speech to the WI, she will urge members to complain to editors if they see such adverts in their local papers.
In a speech to the WI, she will urge members to complain to editors if they see such adverts in their local papers.
A WI spokeswoman said she believed members could make a difference.
"There are an estimated 4,000 females currently living in the UK who have been trafficked to work on the street and off the street as prostitutes," she told BBC News.
"Many of these women, some in their early teens, have been tricked and abducted from their own country and forced to live a life of exploitation and cruelty once they arrive in the UK."
The spokeswoman said newspaper adverts were the most common method used by men to access sexual services.
"We have so many members, we believe we can make a difference on the ground and in our local community," she added. Some of the girls thought they were coming to improve the quality of their lives Jenny Massey, WI member
The WI, which with 205,000 members is the UK's largest voluntary women's organisation, has already indicated it is very interested in helping the campaign against trafficking in this way.
The WI, which with 205,000 members is the UK's largest voluntary women's organisation, has already indicated it is very interested in helping the campaign against trafficking in this way.
'Reactionary attitudes'
'Reactionary attitudes'
Ms Harman has already won the support of The Newspaper Society, which represents local papers, to discourage such adverts.
Ms Harman has already won the support of The Newspaper Society, which represents local papers, to discourage such adverts.
Jenny Massey, a WI member in Cambridge, told BBC News: "Some of the girls thought they were coming to improve the quality of their lives and then have ended up where their lives are very miserable.
"As a women's organisation, we're concerned that the quality of their life isn't deteriorating because they've come to Britain in these circumstances."
The initiative comes as a survey of 143 WI members found nearly half of them had suffered violent or sexual attacks or knew someone who had.
The initiative comes as a survey of 143 WI members found nearly half of them had suffered violent or sexual attacks or knew someone who had.
The research was in conjunction with a Bristol University project on violence against women in rural areas.
The research was in conjunction with a Bristol University project on violence against women in rural areas.
Ms Harman said: "Fewer crimes and more convictions is the trend we want to see continue.
Ms Harman said: "Fewer crimes and more convictions is the trend we want to see continue.
"But we have to continue to challenge reactionary attitudes - that domestic violence is a private matter between husband and wife and we shouldn't intervene, or that she has brought it on herself.
"But we have to continue to challenge reactionary attitudes - that domestic violence is a private matter between husband and wife and we shouldn't intervene, or that she has brought it on herself.
"Whatever happens in a relationship, domestic violence should never be excused."
"Whatever happens in a relationship, domestic violence should never be excused."
The WI members who were surveyed criticised support services for victims of domestic violence, with 90% feeling the police did not give the support they needed.
The WI members who were surveyed criticised support services for victims of domestic violence, with 90% feeling the police did not give the support they needed.
What do you think of this idea? Are there too many sleazy ads in local papers? You can send us your views using the form below:
What do you think of this idea? Are there too many sleazy ads in local papers? You can send us your views using the form below:
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