The BBC are coming but where are all the men?
Thank you to everyone who donated this week – we sprang over the 4/5ths mark on Wednesday and should now make our target.
The exciting news is that BBC South will be coming to film my daughter and I to talk about the campaign. My daughter George has been able to rally a monumental response from her former school and university friends. This issue certainly resonates with women under 30 and women in general.
In light of this news, we have delayed going back to Dubai until we can assess what the impact will be. If we actually get broadcast and if we received further donations as a result, we can look more seriously at repatriating some or all of the 16 other girls although this is not as straightforward as it may sound. Some of the remaining girls were lured by using Juju, a form of witchcraft and seriously difficult to deal with without specialist help over a long period.
Typically a lock of head and pubic hair will be taken from the woman and in a ceremony which can include menstrual blood, hair, nail clippings, body parts and blood from babies. The women then swear an oath of secrecy which ends up becoming a kind of straightjacket for their spirit. The fear of the consequences of disobeying are therefore greater than the fear of working for the boss, in this case a woman.
You can download a copy of Exploring the use of juju in Nigerian human trafficking networks: considerations for criminal investigators by Anthony W. Dunkerley, Modern Slavery Trainer, former anti-trafficking Detective and founder of Illustro Consultancy.
We are also looking to nominate a charity that educates women in Edo state as to the perils of lucrative overseas job offers. In the event of a surplus post-Dubai trip, we feel this would be a good use of money. This option will be evaluated when we know the final position.
On the ground, we now have full details of the two apartments. Bindy, the second girl out has taken the Nigerian Police to the building where she was “interviewed” for the job. Interestingly she and Amy were recruited by different people into the same gang.
We will keep you posted but thank you to everyone who has shared the campaign – if you haven’t yet – please do! And menfolk…..come on….
