UK anti-slavery commissioner launches investigation into ‘pimping websites’ | Sex trafficking

The anti -slavery commissioner launched an investigation into the so -called websites about the concern of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable women on these platforms.

Eleanor Lyons will interview women who say that they have escaped to sex work and adult services such as Vivastreet on websites, which will allow users to take a look at the images and videos of women selling sex in their local areas.

The investigation found that after 2021 Scottish Parliament’s work on commercial and sexual exploitation, the ease and speed of pimp and smugglers’ ease of advertising to potential customers “sex trade”.

“Adult service websites, where you can be online, write your postal code and find hundreds of women for sale, have a bed for human trafficking. “We will call for full evidence of why these websites are so harmful. At least they should be arranged naked, much more intensely.”

The sites are obliged to inform the police about the evidence of smuggling and exploitation, but the campaign groups warned the police that the police usually could not detect the victims of exploitation.

“There is a truly inconsistent approach by law enforcement officers throughout the country, there is often a real tension when it comes to interaction with women in these environments. Many of these women have a natural insecurity to law enforcement and authorities, and it was said that they usually have insecurity by people who exploited themselves.

Potential human trafficking symptoms may see the same women who are advertised in different places, or argue that someone controls their work when the same phone number is used for different women.

“I find it shocking that women are clearly announced and are very irregular. “The online world has greatly facilitated the sexual exploitation of women.”

A Vivastrelet spokesman said: “Vivastreet is regulated by Ofcom in accordance with the online security law and takes security extremely seriously. As required by law, we give a series of measures that require all adult categories to be subject to age and identity.

Some women working in the sex industry argue that the transition to advertising online online, allowed them to work more safely and independently and allow them to scan their customers before they meet them. However, Lyons said that the shift makes it difficult for organizations to support exploited women.

“Previously, help workers could wander in the areas where they knew that they could meet women and girls who were sexually exploited and directly to them.

An ofcom: “The UK’s online security law requires sites and practices to protect people from illegal content, including facilitating the sexual exploitation of adults and human trade. We closely examine the compliance of companies in their duties.”

A group of 59 cross -party deputies signed a change in the crime and police bill earlier this year, which would make a crime to make profit from the prostitution of another person, including a website for prostitutes or to make profit ”. The change did not vote.

The anti -independent commissioner team will make interviews in September and will soon plan to publish their reports.