STOP THE ARRESTS.

The Evidence

No research has proved an increase in human trafficking caused by large sporting events.

Three research projects have been conducted specifically to assess cases of trafficking associated with major sporting events after those events were over.

Germany: 2006 World Cup

SIDA/IOM report: The first significant attempt to assess whether women were trafficked (forced) to sell sex at a major sporting event was financed by the Swedish Development Agency (SIDA) and published by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Despite predictions that 40 000 women would be trafficked, only 5 cases of trafficking were found to be linked to the World Cup. Report published in 2006.

German government report: Subsequently, the German Federal Government produced a report for the Council of the European Union, finding no increase in cases of trafficking related to the World Cup. Report published in 2007.

South Africa: 2010 World Cup

Research was carried out by the Sex Work Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) and the African Centre for for Migration & Society, commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This investigation included a survey of local sex workers; no cases of trafficking were found associated with the World Cup. Report published in 2010.s

Other major sporting events have been speculated about: the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and several US Super Bowls. A report from GAATW (the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women) gathers together existing data. Many other reports deconstruct and debunk the idea that trafficking increases when major sporting events take place, but only the two on Germany and one on South Africa contain data gathered in the relevant places, after the events.

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Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
Greater London Authority
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 2AA

Dear Mr Johnson,

Stop the Arrests Campaign is concerned that the policing of sex workers and sex establishments in the lead-up to the Olympics threatens to compromise the safety and autonomy of sex workers. In light of this, we are calling for a moratorium on arrests, detention and deportation of sex workers with immediate effect until the end of the Olympic
Games in London.

We are aware of “clean-up efforts” targeting sex workers and sex establishments that are underway in London, particularly east London, in the run up to the Olympics. These efforts are partly a response to the claim – made by governments, charity organisations and campaign groups – that the Olympics will lead to an increase in trafficking for prostitution. This is despite the fact that there is no evidence that large sporting events cause an
increase in trafficking.

These include multiple raids and closure of premises, which have resulted in arbitrary arrests, detention and deportation of people working in the sex industry. This creates a climate of fear among workers, leaving them less likely to report crimes against them and more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It is an inadequate response to sex work and to
trafficking.

Last December in Barking & Dagenham a violent gang carried out a series of robberies on brothels at knife point. Sex workers were deterred from pursuing the attacks after police threatened them with prosecution. Thus many more were attacked and one woman was raped. Once the police agreed to an amnesty from arrest sex workers were able to come
forward.

In light of this, we are calling on yourself, in cooperation with the London Metropolitan Police and UK Border Agency, to suspend arrests, detention and deportation of sex workers using, or during enforcement of, the criminal laws laid out in Appendix 1.

We await your positive response.

Stop the Arrests.

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