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Up to 150 women may be forced to be working as sex slaves in Wales at any one time, according to Amnesty International.Up to 150 women may be forced to be working as sex slaves in Wales at any one time, according to Amnesty International.
The charity said the women may have suffered suffered kidnap, rape, and violence as well as exploitation.The charity said the women may have suffered suffered kidnap, rape, and violence as well as exploitation.
It is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to provide secure accommodation and support for women forced into the sex industry.It is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to provide secure accommodation and support for women forced into the sex industry.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan is to meet a delegation at the Senedd later.First Minister Rhodri Morgan is to meet a delegation at the Senedd later.
He will accept a petition signed by Amnesty supporters and members of Wales's Women's Institutes. He will accept a petition signed by Amnesty supporters and members of Welsh Women's Institutes.
The campaign focuses on the obligations of the assembly government to women found to be forced into the sex industry.The campaign focuses on the obligations of the assembly government to women found to be forced into the sex industry.
The human rights charity said a new Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking to be adopted in the UK means that victims in Wales will be given more support. The human rights charity said a new Council of Europe convention on trafficking to be adopted in the UK means that victims in Wales will be given more support.
I was appalled to hear about the brutal lives that these trafficked victims have to endure - It's shocking to think it could be happening in my street, and in our communities Joyce Watson AM I was appalled to hear about the brutal lives that these trafficked victims have to endure - It's shocking to think it could be happening in my street, and in our communities Joyce Watson, AM
The delegation is to learn what steps the assembly government has taken.The delegation is to learn what steps the assembly government has taken.
Cathy Owens, programme director for Wales of Amnesty International, said human trafficking was becoming the second largest criminal industry after the drug trade.Cathy Owens, programme director for Wales of Amnesty International, said human trafficking was becoming the second largest criminal industry after the drug trade.
She said: "Victims of trafficking for the sex trade have been found in all parts of Wales - not just the big cities.She said: "Victims of trafficking for the sex trade have been found in all parts of Wales - not just the big cities.
"Many of the young women involved believe they are coming here to work in the tourist or agricultural industries, and then find themselves at the mercy of evil gangmasters who take their passports, lock them in brothels and force them to have sex with 10 men a day."Many of the young women involved believe they are coming here to work in the tourist or agricultural industries, and then find themselves at the mercy of evil gangmasters who take their passports, lock them in brothels and force them to have sex with 10 men a day.
'Traumatic experience'
"The assembly government has obligations, both moral and legal, to support these women."The assembly government has obligations, both moral and legal, to support these women.
"There is already some good news to report, but this petition will demonstrate how strongly we and our supporters feel about the brutality of human trafficking.""There is already some good news to report, but this petition will demonstrate how strongly we and our supporters feel about the brutality of human trafficking."
'Traumatic experience' The event is hosted by Joyce Watson, chair of the all-party group on the trafficking of women and children.
The event is hosted by Joyce Watson AM, Chair of the All Party Group on the Trafficking of Women and Children.
She said: "I was appalled to hear about the brutal lives that these trafficked victims have to endure. It's shocking to think it could be happening in my street, and in our communities."She said: "I was appalled to hear about the brutal lives that these trafficked victims have to endure. It's shocking to think it could be happening in my street, and in our communities."
Marylyn Haines Evans, Chair of National Federation of Women's Institutes - Wales, said: "We are outraged that women could be kept as sex slaves in Wales in our cities, our towns and our villages. Marylyn Haines Evans, chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes - Wales, said: "We are outraged that women could be kept as sex slaves in Wales in our cities, our towns and our villages.
"This petition shows how strongly our members feel, and I hope that assembly government ministers redouble their efforts to ensure that these women can be helped to access healthcare and counselling, and we can provide them with some hope in order to help them rebuild their lives after such a traumatic experience.""This petition shows how strongly our members feel, and I hope that assembly government ministers redouble their efforts to ensure that these women can be helped to access healthcare and counselling, and we can provide them with some hope in order to help them rebuild their lives after such a traumatic experience."