unseen UK: Local Charity with International Impact
"Once they leave th
e orphanage they are either trafficked, go into gangs or prostitution," was the answer Kate Garbers one of the founders of unseen UK, a new Bristol based South West charity heard at a Ukrainian orphanage in 2008. The catalyst for a life-changing decision - not just for Kate but thousands of women and children. Editor, Emma reports:
"This was shocking. As more extensive research began we realised this was not a problem unique to the Ukraine but that countries worldwide were sending and receiving trafficked people.
"Across the world - even in the UK - and in our home city, women were still and are being bought and sold and traded to be exploited for sexual services." says Kate.
The terrible idea of human trafficking and sexual exploitation being a very real event in Bristol and the south west is sickening. "Bristol is a known hub for trafficking - with easy access to Europe and the rest of the UK via the port, airport and good rail and coach links to and from London." says Kate.
Perhaps worse though is the fact that 'normal' women, with 'normal' dreams and ambitions, perhaps duped due to a desire to live abroad, or support family overseas, or 'better themselves' are amongst the victims. As Kate points out, these are the trusting victims of this despicable trade.
"Once trafficked women are usually unable to escape, terrified of what might happen if they do. Traffickers use threats and violence to instill fear and make the women believe that their friends, familly and children are at risk if they try to leave - it is in essence modern day slavery." she adds.
Kate describes unseen UK as there for the practical and the psychological healing of survivors of trafficking. "unseen has been set up to span the gap in service provision for trafficking survivors throughout the UK and specifically in the South West, by establishing accommodation as well as holistic, educational, therapeutic and individualized services to assist them on their journeys toward independence." she says.
The charity's multi-prongued approach of:
- Raising Awareness - through media campaigns with other local organisations and publications
- Gathering Information - working with other statutory organisations and NGO's to build a better understanding of the current scale and nature of trafficking trends
- Providing Relief - assisting survivors through advice and access to practical needs such as housing, finance, legal support and medical care
- Working With Others - establishing links and partnerships with other agencies working to combat human trafficking.
Asked about how Christians can support unseen UK locally she replied "We are asking people to consider giving up £2.50 a week for our Sponsor A Room scheme.
"You can sponsor as an individual, as a friendship group, with colleagues or with your faith community. By donating this small amount, which is about the same as a cup of coffee or a beer, you will be directly impacting our support services so that we can deliver more for survivors."
The charity has plans for its first house for survivors by the end of this year. There are currently 80 bed spaces available nationally for survivors - but according to Kate these are not enough! "The statutory organisations dealing with victims of this trade struggle to find safe, secure accommodation and appropriate aftercare."
Political involvement is another action we can take to support unseen UK; by joining a Focus Group to generate ideas and practically increase awareness of trafficking.
unseen UK's long-term goal is to work internationally with other service providers to provide outstanding levels of care. In short to provide a full 'wrap around' care service for trafficking survivors.
For more information on unseen UK
For unseen UK's Twitter page
To raise money for unseen UK via Every Click
For Facebook's unseen UK information