Group claims Malta 'destination' for child trafficking

Joe Fenech

Sep 18th 2010, 14:16

"ECPAT, the End Child Prostitution And Trafficking group said no reliable data was available on the extent of trafficking of children in sexual exploitation in Malta."

So then - SHUT UP ONCE AND FOR ALL !

reno calleja

Sep 16th 2010, 23:00

That Malta is flooded by prositutes from Russia and Eastern Europe is known to almost everyone Except to the police it seems. The Police should get serious and crack down on this shameful business. Several prostitutes from Eastern Europe were brutally murdered in Malta, probably killed by their pimps. No one has been brought to justice. The pimps who are becoming rich, very rich, are known to the Pollce Let us hope that their is no police collustion. What the former Prime Minister and President of Malta, Dr. E. Fenech Adami revealed about three dismissed police officers who were caught on tape in collution with hard core criminals who stole large sums of money, shocked Malta. True these police offiers had their day in court and won their case on a technicality. Another case is the alleged collusion and corruption of police officers with regards to illegal hunting. We had another case of a police officer who was caught dealing in drugs. Why is it that very few of these pimps, who are buying young girls to make them work in prositution, are caught by the police.?

Raymond Bezzina

Sep 16th 2010, 18:25

Did this group pass the above allegations to the Malta Police for investigation ?
If not, why ?

colin stanley

Sep 16th 2010, 16:58

If what these people are saying is true (child trafficking ) which I don't believe , most propably you will find it is run by some foreigners, most likely eastern european.

Karl Abela

Sep 16th 2010, 15:54

MALTA IS THE JEALOUSY OF OTHER COUNTRIES. The government should take legal action against ECPAT if this report is unproven.

Of course, our country is not without is share of crime, but its very far off from most other countries in the world.

alfred ferriggi

Sep 16th 2010, 14:53

@P. Scicluna
Contrary to what T. Vella had to comment, I fully agree with what P. Scicluna stated regarding certain clubs and behaviour in Paceville. The police are the people who need to frequent the mentioned clubs if they really want to verify and take the necesssary action to safeguard our children.

Furthermore, it is worth also bringing to the attention of everyone regarding the incorrect and aggressive behaviour of certain bouncers. A particular club known as Havana is conspicuous for these types of bouncers (not all of them to be fair) who try to bully others even outside the club in front of CCTV cameras. However, the few are really giving a bad reputation and making it dangerous for people to frequent their club.

O.Tretyak

Sep 16th 2010, 14:13

I went to read the report to see where such information was taken from.

http://ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Trafficking/Factsheet_Malta.pdf

According to
http://www.ecpat.net/A4A_2005/europe.html Group ECPAT do not collect any info about Malta.

According to
http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Result_onlineDatabase.asp?country=107&CountryProfile=1,1,1&ProfileCommercial=1,1,1,1,1&ImplementActions=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&NationalPlans=1&organisationsWorking=1&selectedCategory=fact&display=country#
they have no specific info about Malta in their database.

I am not surprise that some people could make a report about the Country they never collected information of.
I had a Social Worker, who never spoke to me, taking oath on Report about my life. I reported perjury and corruption but my reports died some-where.
What can Malta do with ECPAT Report now? Where to complain? Where to request evidences of such harmful allegations?

I would suggest a law suit against ECPAT.

T vella

Sep 16th 2010, 14:04

I don't know the agenda behind this group, but for sure i have a lot of serious doubts
regarding their allegations. Malta is small and the people known, and if somebody is commiti9ng such an organized crime be sure that the neighbours will tell this to the wind. Regarding the gentlemen's clubs mentioned in other comments, please be informed that there perform professional lap dancers which in no case are prostitutes. I am sure that who made these comments was never in such a club!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

leo attard

Sep 16th 2010, 13:57

@J cordina...I agree with you about reports being unsigned, but face the facts as well ----- how do amny of these ''human imports'' end up. true there are mail order brides, but many dont get married here and until they do --- what job are they given. remember when they raided night clubs in st julians area ---- what were most of those eastern women doing?

Maria.J.Buttigieg

Sep 16th 2010, 13:43

What group and on what concrete foundation does this report concludes that malta is one of the main countries for such immoralities. I do not believe a word of it, we have one of the safest countries in the world, a country that cares and love their children, the best schools and needless to say the best teachers and carers. Personally this so called child protection group are trying to dirty the image of our country Malta* the little island in the med. its a stupid and unfounded remarks which i simply ignore as propaganda against Little Malta&Gozo. Regarding people from the eastern blok entering malta is a job for the customs and immigration officials.

MSciberras

Sep 16th 2010, 13:41

Many - and I will not say most, because my opinion is based on what I have seen with my own eyes, not any scientific study - of the eastern european 'victims' in Malta are prostitutes or lap-top dancers out of their own free will. Too many of these pressure groups label all prostitutes and sex-trade workers as victims and the 'administration' as traffickers. There certainly exist real victims - many of them - and traffickers but using the word when its not warranted dilutes its meaning and impact. I do not know about child-sex trafficking (!) but without quoting sources or reaons it is outrageous to make such claims. The best way to protect real victims is to legalise - and regulate - prostitution.

DR Charles F. Grech

Sep 16th 2010, 13:24

Before people get hot under the collar, they should first read the report

http://ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Trafficking/Factsheet_Malta.pdf

The report is referenced and incidentally its quotes from an online report by our own Appogg.

They mention that a foreigner was charged with a case of trafficking. So it is not so bad after all but....
Then they also continue promoting the stereotype of

'Malta is primarily a destination country for women and children trafficked for sexual purposes
from Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Russia and Romania'. As if Malta is the only recipient of such people!

If any woman comes to Malta for illegal acts she knows that such acts are illegal and any woman trafficked may simply request police assistance. By the way, Russia, Ukraine and Romania have police forces so all visitors know that police exist should they feel trapped!

Furthermore contrary to what some may think Eastern European women are serious and are family oriented, possibly as much if not more than some of our local girls.

As to child prostitution, the police should investigate and get the culprits booked.

Carmelo Saliba

Sep 16th 2010, 13:07

It is naive to to claim that Malta is not a destination for child and women prostitution. Working in the social sector, it is quite common to meet with such situations. Even though this report is 'unsigned' it does not mean that it is not reliable. Unfortunately though there is very little political will to try and curb these abuses.

Joseph Calleja

Sep 16th 2010, 13:05

And then people worry about divorce and cohabitation?

Miguel Micallef

Sep 16th 2010, 13:05

The lax security in Malta and the Roman Catholic's Church presence make it the ideal place for child trafficking, mostly for sex purposes.

Don't you read the international news? A Belgian bishop was sexually abusing his own nephew. Hundreds, thousands more around the world and also in Malta.

Smell the coffee.

P.Scicluna

Sep 16th 2010, 13:02

This might be the true situation. If one pass from a certain quarters in Paceville will notice this area becoming red light,gentlemen's clubs every where. The authorities needs to wide open their eyes (for once) and act now to protect our childrean.

Jesmond Micallef

Sep 16th 2010, 13:01

Maybe the readers talking about "Little Angel Innocent Malta" should read the news here abit more frequently. Here help yourselves.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091210/local/searches-for-child-sex-offenders-held-in-malta

http://stocks.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091211/local/maltese-in-global-paedophile-network

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100212/local/new-protection-for-children-from-sexual-abuse

Neal Debono

Sep 16th 2010, 12:53

unfortunately any country can be earmarked as a destination for such activities.
Personally i woul want to read the report and understand to what extent was Malta mentioned. Any unsigned report from any group can be considered unfound up until accountability and a sound research is drafted.
With regards to gentleman clubs everyone knows what goes around in these places, i am sure that abuses are more frequent there than in any other place. Which ever authority gives out these licenses must be made accountable.

John Azzopardi

Sep 16th 2010, 12:52

Not sure about child trafficking, but definitely women, especially those from eastern europe and Russia. The prostitution ring is huge and it's all over Malta and Gozo. E veryone brags about bring these women to their homes. How could the authorities allow this to go on. It's the same with drug trafficking. Either we have the dummest police force around or we have a policy of don't know/don't ask/don't see. Really said for a catholic country like Malta. And you know how is the blame. Our government, members of parlament on both sides and everyone else for allowing this to happen.

Stephen Koludrovic

Sep 16th 2010, 12:49

These people should look more at Heathrow airport, where this sort of business is more likely happening than over here.

d. borg

Sep 16th 2010, 12:46

If this group has any proof, let it pass it on to the local authorities, otherwise stop inventing reports without backing them up. The place for such unsigned reports is in the rubbish bin.

Joe Cordina

Sep 16th 2010, 12:33

No one should give heed to an unsigned report. Who do these people think they are. A report without evidence and facts...... The only place for it is the rubbish bin

Jesmond Micallef

Sep 16th 2010, 12:32

We read here of drug smuggling operations being tipped off and hence successfully caught at point of entry such as the MIA by Malta Customs. What about so called gentlemen's clubs on the Maltese islands !!

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100907/local/meps-tighten-screw-on-migrants-exploitation

Michael Neville Cassar

Sep 16th 2010, 12:26

As a Maltese citizen I strongly object and find it offensive such a report especially where children are concerned and I am sure that every Maltese object to such insinuations .If there is any proof of this report I am sure the Authority will take the necessary measures.

J Farrugia

Sep 16th 2010, 12:23

These unsigned and unmarked splinter groups are nothing but organisations which try to ruin our tourism through unfounded and unsigned reports fit only for the garbage. They try to ride on a true problem but with a hidden agenda. But at the same time they try to ruin onnocent people or even countries through their irresponsible and boggled reasoning. Why should the Times publish and give prominence to such malicious groups whose raison d'etre is just to ruin the reputation of our country? I cant understand their line of reasoning.