For Victims of Sex Trafficking
One of our main aims is to address the crime of trafficking in human
beings for sexual exploitation by offering support to the women and
girls who are victims of this crime.
For those women and girls who have been trafficked or forced into
prostitution by means of debt-bondage, our goal is to reaffirm their
sense of self-worth and dignity as valued individuals, empower them to
regain control over their lives, and work alongside them to regain
their sense of freedom and independence.
Our Services
The support we can offer includes:
- Coordinating an immediate response to police referrals: assignment of key worker to visit police station to offer support;
- Coordinating an immediate response to referrals from other agencies;
- Visits to accommodation to ensure safety and assess needs;
- Provision of basic emergency items, such as food, clothing and toiletries;
- Ensuring access to medical treatment and sexual health checks;
- Emotional support and advocacy during interviews with the Police, Social Services, Solicitors and Home Office;
- Appropriate adult support for child victims;
- Assistance in accessing immigration and asylum advice;
- Assistance with voluntary return to country of origin (including signposting to support agencies in country of origin);
- Referrals for Counselling;
- Signposting and referrals to other specialist agencies.
Citylight are currently conducting quarterly visits to brothels in the local area in partnership with Brighton and Hove police as part of Operation Thames. The purpose of these visits is to monitor the safety and well-being of women working in these establishments, with a particular concern for identifying victims of trafficking or signs of child sexual exploitation.
In addition to victim support, Citylight also believes in the importance of engaging in preventative
strategies, such as tackling the demand for sexual services and raising
awareness amongst vulnerable women and girls. We are therefore anticipating, over the coming months, the launch of a local anti-trafficking media campaign and young people's focus groups on sexual exploitation.
