Task force gives final report on Cheltenham sex trade
COMBATING exploitation linked to the sex trade in Cheltenham is a job which cannot be tackled by the borough council alone.
That was the conclusion of a task force set up to investigate the town's vice trade over the past eight months.
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Councillor Barbara Driver (C, Lansdown) led a team to take a wide-ranging look at the town's sex industry – with a particular focus on people trafficking.
At a borough council overview and scrutiny meeting on Monday evening, the group's final report concluded that illegal activity related to the sex trade was no greater in Cheltenham than in other parts of the UK.
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Councillor Driver, speaking at the meeting, said: "We don't have any more of a problem than any other town.
"That's not to say we don't have a problem – it's just not a big one.
"The issues we face in Cheltenham are different to those we have in Gloucester. In Gloucester, the main problem is on the streets, whereas in Cheltenham it is behind closed doors."
Nevertheless, she said, research into the issue had been a useful exercise.
"I make no apology for looking into this," she added.
"We need to keep our eyes open and work to make sure young men and women do not fall foul of this obscene trade."
The task force's final report acknowledged that the full scale of the problem remained unknown.
It said: "There is very much a shared feeling that the stone remains unturned when it comes to identifying the true extent of these issues."
Recommendations included working with the police and public protection bureau to distribute information to victims of sexual exploitation, plus looking into the possibility of providing a "safe house", offering emergency shelter for victims.
The report concluded: "It is important to recognise that issues relating to human trafficking and sexual exploitation cannot be addressed by Cheltenham Borough Council alone.
"The borough council will be looking to partners to take forward recommendations where appropriate."
7 Comments
by elgoog
Thursday, February 21 2013, 10:04AM
“AN EIGHT MONTH STUDY HAS REVEALED THAT..."The task force's final report acknowledged that the full scale of the problem remained unknown.
WHEN WILL THEY LEARN TO STOP WASTING OUR MONEY ? ?”
by justbecause
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 9:31PM
“Somewhat hypocritical of TIG this is. Did TIG really think the advert for a masseuse (with all the code words for favours - simple google it) was not connected to the trade. You had the contact details of those doing the crime TIG, cause they were placing the advert in your paper! C'mon its in there on a daily basis (just before the sport at the back), put your hands up and take responsibility.”
by eyeopener
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 7:25PM
“"It is important to recognise that issues relating to human trafficking and sexual exploitation cannot be addressed by Cheltenham Borough Council alone."
It took a task force to discover this?”
by tykelip
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 7:14PM
“"I make no apology for looking into this," she [Cllr Driver] added.
I think this is known as 'adding insult to injury'.”
by lordigaga
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 6:35PM
“the sex trade in Cheltenham?
just look in the small ads in our local paper”
by Nurdol
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 5:56PM
“The oldest trade in the world is not going to be closed down by Councillor Driver or anyone else. At least in Cheltenham it is behind closed doors.”
by Scorpio2010
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 12:13PM
“Councillor Driver, speaking at the meeting, said: "We don't have any more of a problem than any other town. Now there's a surprise.
And just exactly how much did it cost to reach this conclusion? I'd stay away from those American barbecues if I were you Barbara. They can turn out to be costly to the Cheltenham ratepayers.”