Head of PSNI Organised Crime Branch backs cross-party call to ban 'pimping websites'

Det Chief Supt Emma Neill, was speaking to the News Letter after the Stormont All Party Group (APG) on Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation published the results of its inquiry into the websites – Hidden In Plain Sight.

The APG membership is made up of MLAs from the DUP, UUP, Alliance and SLDP with support from CARE NI, a Christian public affairs charity.

One survivor told the APG inquiry: “You have the websites, but they bring the people from online actively looking for girls, our customer base knew that we were either being drugged before the appointment so that we were completely incoherent, you could not say or no, your body is paralysed, that’s not said online.”

The report's seven recommendations are:

• Improved cross-border cooperation to tackle commercial sexual exploitation.

• Introducing Sex Trafficking Risk Orders to place restrictions on suspected traffickers.

• Amend the Online Safety Act 2023 to ensure a ban on pimping websites

• Introduce a properly funded strategy for leaving prostitution

• Consider a statutory disregard scheme for women convicted of prostitution offences.

• Challenge attitudes of men and boys behind buying sex.

• Ensure mandatory up-to-date investigation training for police and support agencies

In 2014 MLAs made it an offence to buy sex in Northern Ireland. Now APG member Paul Frew has tabled a amendment to the ongoing Justice Bill, to make it an offence to advertise such a service too.

APG Chairman Peter Martin said: “We very carefully considered all the evidence submitted to the Inquiry from survivors, researchers, police officers and others and it is clear these pimping websites provide an infrastructure through which exploitation is organised, scaled and concealed.

“Therefore, we have concluded that to better protect women and girls especially from violence and the harm caused by sexual exploitation and human trafficking, the time has come for the Assembly to ban all websites advertising prostitution."

Connie Egan MLA, Deputy Chair of the APG, added: “So much of the evidence we received through this Inquiry was harrowing to read and digest.

“I want to place on record my thanks especially to the many survivors who responded and who bravely shared their story. We now owe it to every woman who is advertised in Belfast today and every girl trafficked across this island against her will to ensure this report is not just read, noted and shelved."

Det Chief Supt Neill told the News Letter: “While an outright ban is a matter for legislators rather than the Police Service, we will do everything within our powers to enforce such legislation.

“Sadly, there are various means through which sexual exploitation can occur, from the use of online platforms to personal networks.”

She added: "Our huge challenge is that sexual exploitation is often an unseen crime. It can happen in plain sight."

Some victims may be afraid to speak out while others have been “carefully groomed” and may not see themselves as victims of crime, she said.

She appealed for anyone with information on victims to contact police.