I do not doubt the personal integrity of those involved, nor the value of the work they do with women who have had terrible experiences. It is when the way in which the issue is politised and then responded to by governments that worries me. The activities of the Romanian police make me angry, but don't surprise me. We all know that the problems experienced by women who migrate for work in the sex industry are caused, in large part, by the restricted choices these women have. The irony is, in the name of stopping these problems, measures are being taken that further restrict their choices.
Campaigners realise how complicated the issues around trafficking are.
Unfortunately, this complexity is lost when things move up from the 'grass-roots' level. However, in my more hopeful moods, I think the political 'space' opened up be discussions of trafficking, and the political credibility of anti-trafficking organisations, can be utilised to further an agenda that would increase, not decrease, women's choices. For this to happen, though, would require a radical re-think about the way campaigners engage in the political arena. I would urge all of us involved one way or another in anti-trafficking activities, to really think about how we present the issues in the political sphere. I hope that we can use this list, and the upcoming conference in Budapest, to engage in discussion around the vital issue of how we 'do' politics.