Thousands of Chinese women trafficked for sex in UK sex trade
A UK study has found that over half the amount of women trafficked into the same country to work by force in the sex industry are Chinese.
17,000 out of 30,000 women immersed in the sex trade are brought from China, Thailand and Eastern Europe. Police have found that around 2,600 of these women are working in off-street prostitution after entering the country illegally.
Some of the migrants forced to perform sexual acts are also coerced into paying off bonds of thousands of euros by gangs responsible for the underground trade.
The report, titled, “Setting the Record”, is said to provide an accurate image of human trafficking in England and Wales. The report was carried out by a team in south-west England over a period of twelve months, through support from the Metropolitan police.
Over 200 women were interviewed by investigators to find out more about their circumstances.
The largest number of brothels was found in London (2,103), followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (534), the South East (426) and the West Midlands (342).
Deputy Chief Constable Chris Eyre from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said "There is a great deal of work going on between the UK and Chinese governments, and there is also a great deal going on through law enforcement to make sure those women who are vulnerable in this respect are protected and supported."
A leading charity working with the victims of the trade has said the figures released are only a 'minimum' and may in fact be even higher.
