Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Can you consider how you are your church or organisation could help
support the cause of Clause 13 of The Sexual Offences Act currently
going through the House of Lords. This email contains links with sample
letters that make is easy for those you lead to action.
We need to stand up!
Regards,
Adrian
Hope For Justice - About Clause 13
Clause 13 is part of the Policing and Crime Bill that is currently going
through the House of Lords.
It proposes the insertion of a new offence into the Sexual Offences Act of
2003 of paying for the sexual services of a prostitute who has been
subjected to exploitative conduct.
The clause would make it illegal to pay for sex with someone who is
subjected to force, deception, coercion or threats (i.e. someone who has
been trafficked or is being controlled under similar circumstances).
Clause 13 is a strict liability offence meaning that proof someone had
knowledge the victim concerned was being exploited is not needed. Sleeping
with a trafficked woman would be a criminal offence, whether or not the
man knew. It challenges the misconception that prostitution is a matter of
choice for women and would help protect vulnerable people.
The story so far
The Policing and Crime Bill completed its passage through the House of
Commons on 19th May. Amendments to remove the strict liability element
were proposed but thankfully these were defeated.
The Bill is now making its way through the House of Lords.
So far Clause 13 has received much criticism with Peers speaking against
the strict liability element and asking for it to be amended or removed
completely. The strict liability element is vital in gaining successful
prosecutions. In Finland a similar law was passed in 2006 without the
strict liability element. Evidence must show the person in question knew
the woman was being exploited by a trafficker or pimp and only two
convictions have been achieved so far.
We need to campaign to make sure that Clause 13 becomes law and remains a
strict liability offence. This is the best way to protect women who have
been forced into the sex trade. In October the Lords will vote on the
clause at the
report stage and this will be a critical phase for the campaign.
What can you do?
We want as many people as possible to write to the House of Lords in
support of Clause 13. Tell your friends, your church and encourage others
to join us in this campaign.
It is likely to be for debate around the 3rd-5th of November. We have a
real opportunity to speak up on behalf of those who can't, and make a
difference by contacting the House of Lords and asking them to support
Clause 13 in it's current form without amendment.
You can write to any Peer at The House of Lords, SW1A 0PW. Alternatively
you can find the name of a Lord or Baroness and send an email by visiting
www.writetothem.com/lords and typing in your birthday or the area where
you live.
Please click below for our example letter. Don't forget to personalise it
by adding in some information about yourself. Download the Word document template letter
Commit to praying regularly about Clause 13 in the run up to the report
stage in October. Ask God to move the hearts of those able to make
decisions and vote to keep Clause 13 and the strict liability element that
will protect trafficked women.
Think creatively about raising awareness of Clause 13. Perhaps you could
record a video blog to put on Facebook or You Tube, or arrange an event to
attract local media interest in the campaign.
If Clause 13 becomes law it will have a great impact in protecting
trafficked women in the UK . Please do everything you can to help bring a
successful outcome to this campaign. Together let's stand up for the
rights of trafficked people and seek justice.
Download our latest campaign news as a pdf document
