Trafficking and Latin American exploited migrant women in the UK Carolina Gottardo Director Latin American Women’s Rights Service LAWRS Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

Latin American Women’s Rights Service LAWRS User led organisation for women and by women Founded in 1983 for Latin American migrant women Advice, advocacy and counselling on VAW, housing, welfare and homelessness Opportunities of women to develop themselves Latin American women’s human rights Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

Latin American Women’s Rights Service LAWRS User led organisation run for women and by women Founded in 1983 Knowledge and tools for women to break free from poverty and violence Free and women only services 4000+ women a year 9 staff and 45 volunteers Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

Latin American Women’s Rights Service LA women in the UK LA in the UK 4 times the numbers of the 2001 census reaching 186,000+ Lack of recognition of the community OTHER in monitoring forms Invisible for policy, strategy and service provision LA women disproportionately affected by migration experience Women living marginalised lives Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

LA women victims of trafficking in the UK Sexual exploitation: 16 billion/year in LA (IOM) 1.3 million people enslaved in LA (Free the Slaves) Statistics don’t match the number of identified victims of trafficking in the UK Gap in knowledge about real numbers Majority of victims come from Brazil and Colombia Subjected to sexual or labour exploitation Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

LA women victims of trafficking in the UK Difficulties to identify LA women VoT due to: Restrictive definition of VoT and a defective law Some VoT arrive to Spain and Portugal first Most LA women VoT come with legal documents Invisibility of LA women in the UK Something needs to be done about this issue Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

LAWRS work on trafficking issues Developed networks with mainstream organisations working with trafficking issues Front line staff and volunteers trained to identify VoT Working with Consulates towards a joint approach Working with LAWA to be referral points for the Olympics Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

LAWRS work on trafficking issues Receive referrals and develop casework providing support to VoT Will develop action research project on this issue Policy and advocacy work for a broader definition of VoT Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

Latin American Women’s Rights Service Open Doors Project Current outreach project In partnership with St Bart’s Hospital and the NHS Brazilian women involved in prostitution Practical support on housing, money benefits, debts and VAW’s issues Counseling and psychotherapy Support in employment/volunteering and ways to get out of the sex industry Large proportion of women could be describes as VoT Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

Latin American Women’s Rights Service Case studies Case study 1:I hope for a violence-free life Case study 2: A living hell Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk

Questions? www.lawrs.org.uk Latin American Women’s Rights Service www.lawrs.org.uk