New Report on Sex Trafficking in Palestinian Territories
Monday, December 14, 2009 10:30 AM
14 December 2009
A report entitled "Trafficking and Forced Prostitution of Palestinian Women and Girls: Forms of Modern Day Slavery" was recently released by SAWA, a Palestinian NGO. The report found that trafficking in Palestinian territories is widespread. Many of the victims became vulnerable to forced prostitution and trafficking due to abuse suffered at home, forced marriage, unemployment, and poverty.
The report found that there are few shelters for victims, who may be shunned by their family. Police treat them like criminals, and few cases are prosecuted against their traffickers. The report recommended that new legislation be drafted that offers protection to these victims of sexual violence.