London: Traffickers convicted by evidence from Caritas Bakhita House residents

Karen Anstiss

Source: Archbishops House

Three residents of Caritas Bakhita House, the refuge for women rescued from modern slavery, in the Diocese of Westminster, have given evidence which has led to the successful prosecution of their captors.

All three women were trafficked from Romania and trapped in modern slavery in the UK.

In the first case two women were forced into prostitution once they were trafficked into the UK. In time, one managed to escape and helped police rescue the other woman from their captors and, through the police, both found refuge at Bakhita House where the staff supported their recovery. The women overcame many difficulties and were eventually able to give evidence, leading to two of the men who brought them over from Romania being sentenced to 14 years each and another man being given two years and eight months.

The second case involved a young woman who was trafficked from her home and forced into prostitution. She alerted her mother in Romania who contacted the police who found her at an address in Kensington. The Metropolitan Police, working with authorities in Romania, apprehended the traffickers and, with support from Bakhita House staff, the young woman gave evidence which led to her two captors being sentenced to 12 years and four years respectively.

Bakhita House Manager Karen Anstiss commended the courage of all the women in testifying against their captors. She also paid tribute to the work of the staff and volunteers who supported the women through their recovery and helped them look forward to the future with hope.

Caritas Bakhita House provides women escaping modern slavery and human trafficking with safety and support to allow them to begin the recovery process.

Read more about Caritas Bakhita House here: www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/bakhita-house.php