FAS Training scheme to help sex-trafficking victims

syklops

A new FÁS-funded training scheme has been set up to help women involved in prostitution and suspected victims of sex trafficking integrate back into society, it was revealed today.

The pilot project, the first of its kind, is designed to act as a bridging mechanism providing the women with educational modules and career guidance and prepare them for possible further training.

Some 17 people are currently taking part in the course, which runs until October. Just one woman is from Ireland while the rest are from areas ranging from Africa to Eastern Europe.

Sarah Benson, the chief executive of support group Ruhama, said it is hoped the scheme will continue beyond the pilot phase.

She said: “For FÁS, because ordinarily you have to meet certain eligibility criteria... to take this step is a hugely positive outreach that they’re doing in terms of trying to connect with those who are in that position to try and bridge into mainstream Fetac education.

“A serious consequence of engaging people in courses where they aren’t actually ready yet is that they are set up to fail.”

At a briefing on sex trafficking Ms Benson said FÁS has provided just over €100,000 in funding for the scheme, which began in January.

The women are provided with a range of courses, including English, literacy, computers, sewing and creative writing, as well as assertiveness work and yoga.

Meanwhile Marion Walsh, executive director of the anti-human trafficking unit at the Department of Justice, said that since the beginning of 2009, 10 people have been prosecuted for offences related to human trafficking linked to Ireland.

The bulk of those have been on foot of evidence transferred from Ireland to other jurisdictions.

In Ireland one person was last year convicted of attempting to traffic a child for sexual exploitation and sentenced to six years – but Ms Walsh said the Director of Public Prosecutions is appealing against the sentence, arguing it is too lenient.

Other cases include three people convicted in Romania of trafficking for labour exploitation to Ireland.

Sentences ranging from five to seven years were imposed.

Read more: http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/training-scheme-to-help-sex-trafficking-victims-459090.html#ixzz0oxZzfV1p

source - www.breakingnews.ie

Does anyone else think this is a bit daft?

Surely ex-sex workers could just go on all the same courses that ex brick layers and ex miners go on. I dont see what other skills they may need or why they should be segregated.

Obviously I have the deepest sympathies for anyone who worked in the sex trade against their will, but I dont understand the need for this at all.

FAS(read the taxpayer) spent 100,000 euro on the course, which is being attended by just 17 people. Am I cruel and heartless to think this money could go elsewhere? I mean i even wouldnt mind if the money was spent on improving counselling services for people like these women. It just seems like a waste of time and money.

For example, what do they put on their CV? "After 2 years of working in a secret brothel off leeson street, I completed the FAS 2 year course for ex-sex workers and now am skilled in Computing and Yoga."

Its not that I am against sex-workers getting support, but I think FAS are the wrong people to be doing it.

I wonder how their train an astronaut program is going.

W.Shakes-Beer

like, if they teach them how to bricklay, then they'll just be forced to build brothels by the pimps!

alwaysadub

Yeah,it's a bit wierd alright.

Why can't they just go on the normal training courses? What's different about this one?

Strange..

Sonnenblumen

FAS have been found out for screwing around, so maybe they could have an insight?

Celly Smunt

it seems a waste of money to me,i would've hoped after prostitution they'd know how to lay a brick

Nodin

syklops wrote: »

source - www.breakingnews.ie

Does anyone else think this is a bit daft?

Surely ex-sex workers could just......

These aren't ex-sex workers, they are women who were trafficked for sex - essentially slaves.

Snowie

syklops wrote: »

source - www.breakingnews.ie

Does anyone else think this is a bit daft?

Surely ex-sex workers could just go on all the same courses that ex brick layers and ex miners go on. I dont see what other skills they may need or why they should be segregated.

Obviously I have the deepest sympathies for anyone who worked in the sex trade against their will, but I dont understand the need for this at all.

FAS(read the taxpayer) spent 100,000 euro on the course, which is being attended by just 17 people. Am I cruel and heartless to think this money could go elsewhere? I mean i even wouldnt mind if the money was spent on improving counselling services for people like these women. It just seems like a waste of time and money.

For example, what do they put on their CV? "After 2 years of working in a secret brothel off leeson street, I completed the FAS 2 year course for ex-sex workers and now am skilled in Computing and Yoga."

Its not that I am against sex-workers getting support, but I think FAS are the wrong people to be doing it.

I wonder how their train an astronaut program is going.

what you think just oh youve been rapped against your will for the last 9 months yeah sure go it alone...

It sounds more like a rahbilitation course then anything else...

saywhatyousee

money well spent in my eyes at least these girls will have a better prospect of gaining employment.100,000 does seem like a bit much but i am sure these girls are emotionally fragile and need the extra support .i would not begrudge anyway better than giving it to some pencil face banker

Coriolanus

Jesus, does anyone every read anything? :P

A new FÁS-funded training scheme has been set up to help women involved in prostitution and suspected victims of sex trafficking integrate back into society, it was revealed today.

The pilot project, the first of its kind, is designed to act as a bridging mechanism providing the women with educational modules and career guidance and prepare them for possible further training.

It's rehab essentially.

RMD

I'd say considering the circumstances this just isn't your regular FAS course, that's why it's so expensive.

mikom

I can see it now.... a prostitute filling out her CV.


Previous employment.

1990 to present: Worked in boots.

Mike 1972

Nodin wrote: »

These aren't ex-sex workers, they are women who were trafficked for sex - essentially slaves.

Fair point but the article quoted by the OP seems to suggest its aimed at both.

Nevore wrote: »

It's rehab essentially.

Is it ?

Isint Rehab more of a HSE function than FAS ?

Then again were talking about a country where the HSE is charged with Rent allowance payments...............

Nodin

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Is it ?

Isint Rehab more of a HSE function than FAS ?

Then again were talking about a country where the HSE is charged with Rent allowance payments...............

One would think that. Presumably its FAS facilities and job training, with some other organisation or group handling the rehabilitation end of it.

Coriolanus

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Fair point but the article quoted by the OP seems to suggest its aimed at both.



Is it ?

Isint Rehab more of a HSE function than FAS ?

Then again were talking about a country where the HSE is charged with Rent allowance payments...............

It's not pyschological rehab, but societal.

It's part of FAS remit to make people "fit for the workplace" or somesuch. Not much point in teaching these girls to lay bricks if they don't know the basics that any normal 18 odd year old knows by the time they leave school. I mean really basic stuff like arithmetic, etc. Stuff kids do in CSPE or pastoral care.

At least that's what I think they're being taught/trained in.

Truley

This is probably just me but I really don't think €100,000 to give 17 women an education is much money at all. Alot of it is probably start up cost anyway, FÁS have wasted much more money on more pointless things.

If it gives 17 people who have gone through what they have a chance to rebuild their lives in a happier and more managable way, then I am genuinely happy for them and wish them all the best.

orourkeda

pmcmahon wrote: »

it seems a waste of money to me,i would've hoped after prostitution they'd know how to lay a brick

www.instantrimshot.com

southsiderosie

I was actually at that briefing today, and it is supposed to be a more holistic, comprehensive approach to helping trafficked women recover psychologically, socially and economically. It basically is like rehab - their housing centers are specially run, and include a lot of in-house counselling and services. Plus, many of these women can't just "re-enter" society - in some cases their traffickers are looking for them, so it's important to have facilities that allow them to lay low and recover for a bit.

syklops

Snow Monkey wrote:

what you think just oh youve been rapped against your will for the last 9 months yeah sure go it alone...

It sounds more like a rahbilitation course then anything else...

Jesus, did you even read my comments? I said I would be more than happy if the money was spent on coucilling services for the women. I just dont think this is in the remit of FAS. I would rather see the money go to someone like the Dublin Rape Crisis centre, then when the women feel they are ready for employment go and do a standard FAS course. The DRCC could do alot with 100,000, where as in fas half of it will be spent on paper clips and coffee filters.