Issue - decisions

Public Statement From Ms Crofts Representing Soroptimist International

A member of the public made the following points:

       i.          Referred to the Executive summary in the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Thanked the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health, plus Councillors for their support of the Stop Human Trafficking Poster Campaign.

   iii.          Soroptimist International is a worldwide non-governmental organisation to educate women and girls. One of its goals was to eliminate violence against women and girls. This included stopping the trafficking of women.

   iv.          ‘Stop Trafficking’ posters had been provided to South Cambridgeshire and the City Councils.

    v.          Material such as posters had been produced to raise awareness of issues in communities. Information on where to seek help was also provided.

   vi.          Information posters were put in toilets where they could be seen by women (without being observed) by men who may be controlling them.

 vii.          Posters and stickers had already been distributed by some local authorities. They had proved successful so the campaign was being rolled out to Cambridge.

viii.          More posters and stickers could be provided upon request by 1 February 2015.

 

Matter for Decision

The City Council received a request from the Cambridge Branch of Soroptimist International to erect its ‘stop human trafficking’ campaign posters in the Council’s female public toilets for a fixed 6 month period, commencing 1 February 2015.

 

The posters are designed to help tackle the issue of human trafficking, with a particular focus on female victims, who form over 80% of all trafficked people. The posters form part of Soroptimist International’s Purple Teardrop Campaign, which is a global campaign to stamp out human trafficking, especially sex trafficking.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health

Approved the erection of Soroptimist International’s Purple Teardrop ‘stop human trafficking’ campaign posters in the City Council’s female public toilets for a fixed 6 month period, commencing 1 February 2015 and ending 31 July 2015.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee noted the report from the Head of Streets & Open Spaces.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Welcomed the stop human trafficking poster campaign initiative,

     ii.          Human trafficking was an important issue.

   iii.          It would be helpful to have information from Soroptimist International and the Police on how effective the posters were, so they could be made more effective in future to extend the programme in any way possible.

   iv.          Suggested putting posters in unisex and female toilets. Traffickers could be male and female.

    v.          The campaign could link into Councillor Sinnott’s anti-domestic abuse work.

   vi.          Queried the need for three phone numbers (instead of one) on the poster, but felt this was a matter for the poster organisers rather than Cambridge City Council. Suggested including text information, as an alternative to telephone calls.

 vii.          Suggested undertaking a men only campaign on a different theme in future.

 

In response to Members’ questions Ms Crofts said the following:

       i.          The Council had suggested undertaking the campaign on a six month basis. Soroptimist International would be happy if it could be extended.

     ii.          This was a women only campaign. A campaign for men was a future consideration.

   iii.          Three telephone numbers were listed on the Cambridge poster as per the format used in Poole (Dorset) where the initiative was trialled.

   iv.          If trafficked women did not have access to a phone, they could get information from the Police or Crimestoppers.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation. He added that there would be a press release to raise awareness of the initiative.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.