Shabana Mahmood Addresses Violent Reality for Migrant Women

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently expressed devastating concerns, stating that it’s nearly certain every woman traveling through northern France has faced rape during their journey.

While the number of women among the long-standing influx of migrants into Europe is surprisingly low, it’s been recognized for quite a while that those few who attempt to reach wealthier northern European countries are particularly at risk of violence, including rape and murder. Mahmood discussed this troubling reality during a podcast over the weekend, highlighting the consequences of weak border control policies that enable human traffickers to thrive.

On the podcast The Rest Is Politics, co-hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, she stated:

We’re not in control of this border. The selection of people who end up in northern France, getting ready to board a dinghy, is managed by criminal gangs who, just so you know, are also people traffickers. You can almost guarantee that every woman that’s in the north of France has probably been raped along the way.

Some men have also experienced abuse and threats. This isn’t how we should determine if someone can be in the UK, providing them with a place of refuge and ultimately embracing them as part of our society.

Though her comments can be interpreted as a strong argument for halting migration flows and removing the opportunities for traffickers, they also align with the government’s strategy to shift illegal migrations to legal ones. Although this change may not necessarily lower total migrant numbers, it would allow the government to claim they have eradicated illegal immigration.

This approach, advocated by left-leaning parties across Europe, is often referred to as ‘safe and legal routes’. Despite Mahmood’s reputation as tough on border control, she announced plans last week for the UK to establish pathways for refugees from Afghanistan and Palestine to arrive directly.

However, previous efforts to airlift Afghans to the UK have faced challenges and controversies.

In her discussion on the podcast, Mahmood also responded to critics of mass migration, remarking that they should “sod off,” sharing that she believes they would attack her if they could. She emphasized:

They’re just troublemakers. You know, they’d kill me in a minute if they could, and they’d definitely kick me out of my own country. So let’s be really clear about who they are. They don’t see me as a true Brit, and they resent my identity as a Muslim.

Reports have indicated the horrifying prevalence of human trafficking across Europe, highlighting the systematic abuse of women undertaking the dangerous journey. The ongoing migrant crisis is riddled with stories of relentless criminal organizations exploiting vulnerable groups, often leading to tragic outcomes. Estimates suggest thousands of individuals have died attempting to navigate to Europe each year, with international organizations reporting significant fatalities during the past decade.

Since 2014, around 37,000 migrants are believed to have died trying to enter Europe, while this year alone, at least 22 lives have been lost in the English Channel.

The UK government is currently spending a significant sum to incentivize France to manage its borders better, claiming a notable decrease in migrant arrivals this year as a success of their strategy. Still, there is debate regarding whether this decline can be attributed to broader trends affecting migration flows across Europe.

Analogous patterns of exploitation of women by traffickers exist globally. In the U.S. context, there’s been extensive reporting on similar abuses at the southern border, illustrating the grave risks women face through trafficking.

The women are warned in Mexico that they likely will be assaulted during the trafficking process. It’s not uncommon for mothers to place their daughters on contraception before sending them north.

Human trafficking thrives on the power dynamics exercised by smugglers over their victims. The existence of ‘rape trees’ serves as a grim warning to others contemplating the journey, instilling terror and control amongst the victims.

Ultimately, women apprehended by law enforcement often remain silent about their experiences for a long time due to fear of repercussions for themselves or their families.