First outreach project for trafficked women set up

The first national outreach service for women trafficked to the UK into prostitution is to be established, Home Office minister Paul Goggins has announced.

The scheme will be set up via the Poppy Project, run by charity Eaves Housing for Women.

Poppy provides safe accommodation and support for victims of trafficking.
A new government grant of £2.4 million over two years means its services will be extended, to include outreach and other initiatives.

Denise Marshall, chief executive of Eaves, said: “As the only established non-government organisation with experience of providing direct support of trafficked women, we are delighted that the Home Office has allocated further resources to ensure Eaves and the Poppy Project can effectively provide support to those women who need it.”

The government is due to publish a national action plan on human trafficking later this year.

Thirty per cent of all referrals to Poppy are from the police, 14 per cent through solicitors and seven per cent via immigration services. The project also receives referrals from social services.

A senior support worker at the Poppy Project talks about her job:- 
https://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2005/11/04/50803/Why+I+Love+My+Job.html?key=POPPY+AND+PROJECT