CASH from sex trafficking could be passing through Guernsey. Campaigner the Rev. Dr Carrie Pemberton yesterday urged the authorities and finance sector to be on their guard against money from a trade that brings misery to many.

She discussed the issue before her talk at Les Cotils Christian Centre on what could be done to combat it.

Dr Pemberton, the CEO of Chaste – Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking Across Europe – said that financial centres such as Guernsey could have links with the criminal world of which sex trafficking was a part.

‘It is a global problem and challenge,’ she said.

‘And where there are financial institutions, there is a risk of money passing through which is laundered money,’ said Dr Pemberton.

‘Money markets are used by these criminals and are part of the exploitation of our society which takes place by criminal and user alike.’

Dr Pemberton said that although she was not implying that Guernsey was directly linked with the sex trade, globally just under a million adults and children are trafficked into the sex markets of the world.

‘As a result many women and children suffer abuses such as kidnap, rape, extortion, violence, beatings and indebtedness and, very often, post traumatic stress disorder,’ she said.

But director-general of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission Peter Neville expected the firms it supervised to be aware of the relevant laws and regulations and to comply with them.

Dr Pemberton said that with the rise of ‘sex tourism’ and the popularity of ‘pay-as-you-go’ sex, everyone had to be responsible for their actions.

‘Whether men are flying to Thailand, Malaysia, Holland, Germany, Austria or Estonia to buy sex, they could unwittingly be part of the horrendous abuse taking place,’ she said.

‘We’re asking the churches here in Guernsey to be part of building the capacity of mainland churches providing survivors with protection.’

Dr Pemberton said that Chaste – which works with faith communities, governments and other agencies – currently provided one third of the UK’s safe housing, all independently funded, for such women and children.

She expected Guernsey Police to be aware of any Bailiwick links with the sex trade.

‘Guernsey is a small, pretty cohesive community,’ she said. ‘I’m sure police here are attending to any issues surrounding sex exploitation.’

Dr Pemberton expected any indication of off-street prostitution to be dealt with by police in conjunction with the Sheffield-based UK Human Trafficking Centre.

* A play that received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe could come to Guernsey. Dr Pemberton said that Chaste was looking for sponsors to help bring ‘Not For Sale’ to the island. Email contact@chaste.org.uk.