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WI asked to help tackle sex trade WI asked to help tackle sex trade
(19 minutes later)
The minister for women is to ask Women's Institute members across England to help root out sleazy adverts in their local newspapers.The minister for women is to ask Women's Institute members across England to help root out sleazy adverts in their local newspapers.
Harriet Harman is concerned about adverts selling sex with foreign women, many of whom may have been trafficked and forced into prostitution.Harriet Harman is concerned about adverts selling sex with foreign women, many of whom may have been trafficked 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 this could make a difference.A WI spokeswoman said she believed this could make a difference.
'Dreadful conditions''Dreadful conditions'
The WI, which with 205,000 members is the UK's largest voluntary women's organisation, has already indicated it is 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 interested in helping the campaign against trafficking in this way.
There are an estimated 4,000 females currently living in the UK who have been trafficked to work as prostitutes.There are an estimated 4,000 females currently living in the UK who have been trafficked to work as prostitutes.
The WI says many of women, some in their early teens, have been tricked and abducted from their own country and forced to live and work in "dreadful conditions".The WI says many of women, some in their early teens, have been tricked and abducted from their own country and forced to live and work in "dreadful conditions".
Some of the girls thought they were coming to improve the quality of their lives Jenny Massey, WI member Your views: Can WI tackle the sex trade?Some of the girls thought they were coming to improve the quality of their lives Jenny Massey, WI member Your views: Can WI tackle the sex trade?
It argues that newspaper adverts are the most common method used by men to access sexual services.It argues that newspaper adverts are the most common method used by men to access sexual services.
The WI is encouraging its members to pass on details to the organisation, although it has yet to decide what it will do with the information.The WI is encouraging its members to pass on details to the organisation, although it has yet to decide what it will do with the information.
Spokeswoman Ira Arundell said the WI had the option to "name and shame" newspapers which published such adverts although its "absolute focus" was on helping the women concerned.Spokeswoman Ira Arundell said the WI had the option to "name and shame" newspapers which published such adverts although its "absolute focus" was on helping the women concerned.
"We want to raise awareness and spread the message about what is happening with these girls," she said."We want to raise awareness and spread the message about what is happening with these girls," she said.
'Reactionary attitudes''Reactionary attitudes'
Ms Harman has already won the support of The Newspaper Society, which represents local papers, to discourage such adverts while several publishers have agreed to stop publishing them.Ms Harman has already won the support of The Newspaper Society, which represents local papers, to discourage such adverts while several publishers have agreed to stop publishing them.
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.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.""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."
Womens Institute members' concern about sex advertsWomens Institute members' concern about sex adverts
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.

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