Allegations of widespread sexual exploitation of Calais migrants by British volunteers

[Casually Red]

Pretty depressing reading this . According to the Independent some British volunteers have been using the opportunity afforded by the distress of Calais migrants to exploit them sexually . Some women volunteers in particular have also been allegedly targeting under age boys for exploitation.
Independent have lifted it originally from an online discussion on the Calais People To People Solidarity Facebook page . Unsurprisingly the whistleblower ...a male volunteer..was subjected to a tirade of abuse alleging sexism, racism etc for even raising the subject ? As usual anger by some and a desire to sweep abuse under the carpet .. A commentator has described some of what's gone on as sex tourism, pretty much .pretty despicable behaviour from some given the inequality involved as regards power relationships . But doesn't appear there's a great deal anyone can do about it . The allegations of exploitation also appear to be confirmed by other aid groups

Volunteers in Calais Jungle accused of 'sexually exploiting' refugees

Seems for some of a predatory nature every cloud has a silver lining .

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Some real classy comments there. But yeah very shit if it's actually happening as reported.

 

[Casually Red]

If under age children in particular are being sexually exploited and abused in such a systematic fashion that should be a matter for law enforcement . Regardless of either the gender or political affiliation of the predators taking advantage of them .

 

[Treacle Toes]

Where did the idea that this is 'widespread' come from?

 

[Treacle Toes]

Pretty depressing reading this . According to the Independent some British volunteers have been using the opportunity afforded by the distress of Calais migrants to exploit them sexually . Some women volunteers in particular have also been allegedly targeting under age boys for exploitation.
Independent have lifted it originally from an online discussion on the Calais People To People Solidarity Facebook page . Unsurprisingly the whistleblower ...a male volunteer..was subjected to a tirade of abuse alleging sexism, racism etc for even raising the subject ? As usual anger by some and a desire to sweep abuse under the carpet .. A commentator has described some of what's gone on as sex tourism, pretty much .pretty despicable behaviour from some given the inequality involved as regards power relationships . But doesn't appear there's a great deal anyone can do about it . The allegations of exploitation also appear to be confirmed by other aid groups

Volunteers in Calais Jungle accused of 'sexually exploiting' refugees

Seems for some of a predatory nature every cloud has a silver lining .

Which part of this post is you quoting the article ?

 

[pengaleng]

should have used SEXPLOITATION ffs

2/10 for your thread headline. unsatisfactory.

 

[Casually Red]

Which part of this post is you quoting the article ?

All of it. Every last single bit . Which bit is incorrect In your opinion ?

 

[Casually Red]

Where did the idea that this is 'widespread' come from?

From the person who was abusively attacked online simply for making the sexual exploitation and abuse public . When he stated the instances of abuse he was outlining were merely a small part of a much wider scale problem of migrants being sexually exploited in the camp by volunteers . You can see it quite clearly on the Facebook post .

I've no idea why your seeking to split hairs and play word games on this . There's no difference between "wide spread " and " a wider scale of abuse " . It describes precisely the same scenario .

 

[Casually Red]

should have used SEXPLOITATION ffs

2/10 for your thread headline. unsatisfactory.

What's wrong with it. It appears many of these people are being sexually exploited . Why are you seeking to make light of a perfectly accurate description ? Would you prefer I used the term sexually abused instead ?

Hair splitting word games seem to be en vogue all of a sudden .

 

[ska invita]

"The man added that the majority of cases in question involved female volunteers and male refugees – which he claimed risked the objectification of women volunteering in the camp."
Wheres the exploitation in that? Sounds like some consensual relationships have occurred.
And anything else truly exploitative is unlikley to be widespread - which is not to say theres no chance its not happening - anything is possible there

From the person who was abusively attacked online simply for making the sexual exploitation and abuse public .

Well unless you were privy to his original posts theres nothing simple about it - who knows the context of the discussion...

 

[Pickman's model]

This will end well

 

[pengaleng]

What's wrong with it. It appears many of these people are being sexually exploited . Why are you seeking to make light of a perfectly accurate description ? Would you prefer I used the term sexually abused instead ?

Hair splitting word games seem to be en vogue all of a sudden .

lost on you init.

 

[ska invita]

Im not whitewashing this, i think this thread has started on a sensationalist tone. There are bound to be a lot of subtleties that discussing this third hand will be missing.
And likely some horrible shit in amongst it too...its almost inevitable in such a hell hole

 

[Casually Red]

"The man added that the majority of cases in question involved female volunteers and male refugees – which he claimed risked the objectification of women volunteering in the camp."
Wheres the exploitation in that? Sounds like some consensual relationships have occurred.
And anything else truly exploitative is unlikley to be widespread - which is not to say theres no chance its not happening - anything is possible there

Well unless you were privy to his original posts theres nothing simple about it - who knows the context of the discussion...

Where's the exploitation in that ?

The article goes to great lengths to explain why it's exploitative . You plainly just ignored it . And it's pretty clear the context of his discussion is the sexual exploitation of migrants in Calais by British aid workers .
Highly unlikely it was about west hams recent dreadful run .

 

[ItWillNeverWork]

If you believe this you'll believe anything. It's just an attempt to undermine the image of charity workers at Calais. "Look at these slags sleeping with multiple men every day. Brown men too. The filthy whores". Pathetic stuff.

 

[twentythreedom]

Yeah, wtf CR try going there and seeing what it's like* rather than propagating this sensationalist divisive bullshit

*or just open your eyes / mind a bit ffs

 

[Casually Red]

Im not whitewashing this, i think this thread has started on a sensationalist tone. There are bound to be a lot of subtleties that discussing this third hand will be missing.
And likely some horrible shit in amongst it too...its almost inevitable in such a hell hole

So your basically calling the volunteer who complained about it ..wrong . Spreading third hand gossip and rumour . That there might be some truth to somewhere . Spreading doubt on his account while covering yourself .

What was sensationalist about it ? Even remotely ? Controversial and sensationalist are 2 different things entirely . The allegations are exactly as described . Nothing sensationalist about it. Vulnerable people being sexually exploited by people with more power and status taking advantage of the inequality . Nothing sensational about that in the slightest . It's depressingly normal behaviour .

 

[Wilf]

It's worth stating the obvious that any charity effort like this, with inequalities of power, has the potential for abuse, even significant abuse. But what has actually happened is a different matter and might not lend itself to easy conclusions. What I didn't get from scanning the piece amid my internet crashing twice, was whether there was an allegation of some sort of' exchange' (actual payment, fake offers of citizenship etc.). Without that, you might just have people in very difficult situations, but still something that is consensual.

 

[Wilf]

... then, needless to say, anyone having sex with underage boys (or girls) is scum and deserve to see the inside of a cell. You can also imagine scenarios where vulnerable, young or lone refugees are also exploited. But again, genuinely consensual relationships between adults - if that's what we are talking about - are very different.

 

[J Ed]

It's worth stating the obvious that any charity effort like this, with inequalities of power, has the potential for abuse, even significant abuse. But what has actually happened is a different matter and might not lend itself to easy conclusions. What I didn't get from scanning the piece amid my internet crashing twice, was whether there was an allegation of some sort of' exchange' (actual payment, fake offers of citizenship etc.). Without that, you might just have people in very difficult situations, but still something that is consensual.

Yes, there isn't enough information anywhere here to reach any conclusions I don't think.

 

[Casually Red]

.

It's worth stating the obvious that any charity effort like this, with inequalities of power, has the potential for abuse, even significant abuse. But what has actually happened is a different matter and might not lend itself to easy conclusions. What I didn't get from scanning the piece amid my internet crashing twice, was whether there was an allegation of some sort of' exchange' (actual payment, fake offers of citizenship etc.). Without that, you might just have people in very difficult situations, but still something that is consensual.

Under age sexual encounters aren't consensual for starters . Visiting prostitutes at the camp would heavily imply payment has been exchanged . And the volunteers distributing aid are plainly in a situation of power over the people receiving it . Which is why the article explains reputable charities immediately sack anyone who abuses their position in this manner . And why the UNHCR has guidelines expressly forbidding it Something you and a few others on here plainly wouldn't do .

 

[Casually Red]

... then, needless to say, anyone having sex with underage boys (or girls) is scum and deserve to see the inside of a cell. You can also imagine scenarios where vulnerable, young or lone refugees are also exploited. But again, genuinely consensual relationships between adults - if that's what we are talking about - are very different.

The article states very clearly the allegations concern under age as well as adult migrants. All refugees and migrants in that camp regardless of their age are vulnerable. They depend on aid and charity to survive .
Teachers, social workers , prison guards and psychiatrists are expressly forbidden from doing this for very good reason . Consensual doesn't enter into it .

Eta

Aid workers themselves are expressly forbidden from doing it if they work for anyone halfways reputable and professional . It shouldn't be happening .

 

[Wilf]

.



Under age sexual encounters aren't consensual for starters . Visiting prostitutes at the camp would heavily imply payment has been exchanged . And the volunteers distributing aid are plainly in a situation of power over the people receiving it . Which is why the article explains reputable charities immediately sack anyone who abuses their position in this manner . And why the UNHCR has guidelines expressly forbidding it Something you and a few others on here plainly wouldn't do .

FFS, we all know that underage sex can't be consensual - and I'd be surprised if anybody on this thread hadn't got a problem with paying for sex in a refugee camp. And equally, fer fucks sake, I'd fully support official organisations having guidelines banning sex with 'clients'. But this isn't quite the situation talked about is it? A lot of people have gone over there off there own bat. In those circumstances, some will have relationships, or one of encounters. It's potentially problematic - even when entirely consensual - but isn't something that can be banned. Sometimes life is like that.

 

[Pickman's model]

Yes, there isn't enough information anywhere here to reach any conclusions I don't think.

Never stopped us before

 

[J Ed]

The article states very clearly the allegations concern under age as well as adult migrants. All refugees and migrants in that camp regardless of their age are vulnerable. They depend on aid and charity to survive .
Teachers, social workers and psychiatrists are expressly forbidden from doing this for very good reason . Consensual doesn't enter into it .

If the allegations are true then yes there isn't a grey area. We just don't know enough about it to say whether they are true, what is this facebook group? Is it not possible that whoever posted it up in the first place was a sockpuppet of a journalist?

 

[J Ed]

Never stopped us before

Yes, I have been on the internet before

 

[Wilf]

The article states very clearly the allegations concern under age as well as adult migrants. All refugees and migrants in that camp regardless of their age are vulnerable. They depend on aid and charity to survive .
Teachers, social workers and psychiatrists are expressly forbidden from doing this for very good reason . Consensual doesn't enter into it .

FFS, we know all that! But can you not even conceive of circumstances where adults in those circumstances who have the ability to consent might end up in a relationship? Not ideal, at best messy, but it could happen. Your one size fits all condemnation might fit for much of this story, but not necessarily for all of it.

 

[J Ed]

FFS, we all know that underage sex can't be consensual - and I'd be surprised if anybody on this thread hadn't got a problem with paying for sex in a refugee camp. And equally, fer fucks sake, I'd fully support official organisations having guidelines banning sex with 'clients'. But these isn't quite the situation talked about is it? A lot of people have gone over there off there own bat. In those circumstances, some will have relationships, or one of encounters. It's potentially problematic - even when entirely consensual - but isn't something that can be banned. Sometimes life is like that.

Isn't that a bit like saying that people who volunteer in social services or schools in Britain shouldn't adhere to the same standards on things like safeguarding as people who are paid since they are there in a voluntary capacity?

 

[Wilf]

Isn't that a bit like saying that people who volunteer in social services or schools in Britain shouldn't adhere to the same standards on things like safeguarding as people who are paid since they are there in a voluntary capacity?

No, I don't think so. FWIW I don't think even informal volunteers should be having relationships in the camps, full stop. I just think it's somewhat different to a schools or social services situation. Yes, most adult refugees will be in a situation of vulnerability - and so have the potential to be abused. That's why I'm against it. Suppose I'm really putting it the other way round. Adult refugees have their own agency and should be able to make their own choices. I could at least perceive of circumstances of a non-exploitative relationship - whilst seeing the whole thing as, at the very least, massively problematic.

 

[Casually Red]

FFS, we all know that underage sex can't be consensual - and I'd be surprised if anybody on this thread hadn't got a problem with paying for sex in a refugee camp. And equally, fer fucks sake, I'd fully support official organisations having guidelines banning sex with 'clients'. But this isn't quite the situation talked about is it? A lot of people have gone over there off there own bat. In those circumstances, some will have relationships, or one of encounters. It's potentially problematic - even when entirely consensual - but isn't something that can be banned. Sometimes life is like that.

Reputable aid agencies do ban it .

And you can never be sure something is entirely consensual when there's such a major power imbalance . One is a recipient of aid, one is a donor . Something you either can't or won't get your head around . Plainly people going there off their own bat in the first place is one issue at the root of this .

And I think I made perfectly clear in my posts nothing can be done about it and that yes indeed, life is like that . Which led to me being accused of sensationalism and racism .