Kirk Guild report highlights link between prostitution and trafficking

In a hard-hitting report to the General Assembly next month, the Church of Scotland Guild will highlight some of the work it has done in the past year investigating methods of alerting potential brothel clients to the evils of human trafficking.

The General Assembly will hear that, both within the church and in the general population, there has undoubtedly been an increased level of awareness of trafficking. Press coverage has been considerable, due to the uncovering of trafficking rings through the Pentameter 2 initiative and the work of the UK Anti-trafficking centre, set up to coincide with the government's signing of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking of Human Beings.

The Assembly will be told that grassroots Guild members were part of the wave of revulsion that led to the emergence of the significant 'Extra Mile' initiative held during Guild Week in November. That provided an opportunity for Guild members to raise issues with MSPs, including the provision of safe accommodation in Scotland for the period of recovery and the preparation of adequate measures to combat trafficking in the context of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The Guild will ask for the Assembly's encouragement to continue pressing for meaningful debate on the connection between prostitution and the trafficking of people for the sex industry.

The Guild will go on to remind the Assembly that the amendment to the law on street prostitution in Scotland and the intention to introduce similar legislation in Westminster have led to renewed public debate about the relationship between the demand for street prostitutes and the trafficking of women for the sex industry.

Many believe that there is no connection at all and that prostitution - as the oldest profession - will always be in society. The Assembly will hear that the Guild has a different view and asks what kind of profession "ruins health, routinely risks danger and erodes human dignity".

Other priorities are highlighted through the Guild's projects scheme. The General Assembly will hear that the Guild's support for the six projects in the Let's Live series has now passed the halfway point of the three year partnership. These include advice services for homeless Scots in London and help for families suffering the effects of post natal depression.

Other projects in the current scheme support initiatives to tackle poverty caused by disease, injustice and climate change in the developing world. The generous financial support and commitment of guilds have enabled their partner organisations to develop their work substantially.

The report concludes with a commitment to remain a movement driven by a purpose, one that is resistant to becoming consumer driven and fosters a sense of belonging to a community, united in its aim to offer members opportunities to express their Christian faith in worship, prayer and action.