Black - B r i g h t
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A Q u ar ter ly Pu bblication lication Focu s s ed on Rais in g Awar en es s Issue 42
Is Luton a Home for Drugs, Modern Slavery & Hate Crime?
What’s Inside...? Key Features.. ISSN No. 1751-1909
Blackbright News
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Registered Office Studio 57 LU2 0QG Tel: 01582 721 605 email: BBCS4Luton@aol.com
- Do you have my blood in your mouth? (Editorial)
- Why is there Hate Crime?
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
-Who Benefits from Payment by Results with the NHS? - How can we make it stop? Human Trafficking In Luton
Founder & Managing Editor Myrna Loy Logo Design: Flo Alowaja Photos taken from Google Images Graphic Design: M Loy To view previous issues go to: www.issuu.com/blackbrightnews Blackbright News is a Quarterly Online Publication Printed once annually by Mixam (UK) DO YOU LIKE BLACKBRIGHT NEWS? Would you like to contribute, donate or sponsor the print of a publication? email: blackbrightnews@gmail.com
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- Police Campaign Against Drug Dealing
Black-Bright Community Services (@BBCS4Luton) is on a mission to help end abuse of power in the disadvantaged sectors of Luton and surrounding localities.
BLACK-BRIGHT NEWS
BBCS4Luton is focussing on engaging men and young people (in particular), to become catalysts for a change in culture — a movement towards a mind-set that will no longer tolerate violence and/or abuse, or any form of interpersonal violence or harassment.
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BBCS4Luton encourages the Luton Community to stand against violence, abuse and all interpersonal violence. BBCS4Luton intends to increase public awareness of violence/abuse-related issues, and advocate non-violence practices, in the following ways:
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Encouraging Luton residents to get involved in community organisations that incite progressive culture change, by attending workshops, conferences and other cultural and awareness raising events;
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Encouraging active role modelling for peers and young people by showing them how to act in a healthy relationship or friendship;
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Raising awareness through social media, Blackbright News, workshops and conferences, of abuse; exploitation; and how demands for certain products/food contributes to exploitation;
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Encouraging victims to share their stories of struggle, triumph and hope; providing interviews (anonymously if requested) and documenting outcome as evidence. Fundraising to develop good infrastructure and seek organisations/agencies to fund innovative solutions to improve care for survivors.
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Black-Bright News Stimulates - Educates - Motivates This issue raises public awareness about Human Trafficking
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EDITORIAL: Did you know that 100,000 children are involved in the worst forms of child labour? I love chocolate - I eat it all the time; but not anymore!! I came across the CNN Freedom Project which explained the human cost of chocolate, and it made me sick to my stomach that chocolate was made at the expense of children.. I wondered as I was reading it, if it applied to white chocolate, but I guess chocolate is chocolate.
gled into the Ivory Coast from Mali and Bakino Faso to work on the cocoa plantations. Notwithstanding the Harkin Engel Protocol (aka the Cocoa Protocol) which was a step towards eradicating slave labour in the chocolate industry, the US State Department estimates that more than 100,000 children are involved in the worst forms of child labour on cocoa farms throughout the Ivory Coast. Chocolate exporters and manufacturers blame the war and the aftermath for hampering their efforts to eradicate child labour, yeah, right!.
According to the article on the CNN Freedom Project website in 2011, chocolate comes from the hands of children working as slaves. In 2001, two politicians, Eliot Engel and Tom Harkin, introduced a legislation mandating a labelling system for chocolate which was to stipulate that the chocolate was “child labour free”. However, the industry went up in arms about it and came to a compromise. The compromise was that chocolate companies should voluntarily certify that they had stopped the practice of child labour. However, as at 2010, some of the provisions have still not been met, although I must say Britain have adopted a ‘Fair Trade’ labelling policy.
Researchers (as at 2011) say that very little has been done by way of implementation of the actual commitments of the Cocoa Protocol statiing that “the issues are systematic and children are still working”. 5 of the 6 commitments made in the protocol have been completed, the group said in an email statement, and “governments of cocoa-producing countries, ILO, the OECD, Independent foundations, members of the cocoa supply chain (and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) which was set up to bring parties together to address the worst forms of child labour in the supply chain) are still ACTIVELY working on the 6th commitment to improve the livelihood of cocoa growers and their children. Interested? Follow on Twitter @cnnfreedom
Did you know that 70-75% of the world’s cocoa beans are grown on small farms in West Africa, including the Ivory Coast according to the World Cocoa Foundation and the International Coca Initiative (CNN Freedom Project)? So with that quantify - it must be difficult to put an end to child labour, especially when some of the children belong to the farmers themselves, while others have been smug4
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Is “BLACK” Actually a RACE? by Mt Killa As I presented and defined the differences between “Black” and “African”; which one is a race and which one denotes “Skin Colour” (better yet “Perception” of skin color). it is very clear that many Black people, are heavily confused on identity. As I stated in the “Typical African Perception”. this defining between “Black” and “African” doesn’t make sense to me! It is a fallacy to call oneself a “Black American” or “Black African”. African refers to “Biological/Genetic Makeup” not one’s “Nationality” American/ British refers to one’s “Nationality”, which you have current citizenship. So saying “I am not African because I was not born there” is not a considered statement, because if you are primarily or “Mostly” of “African” descent, you are “African”. The origin of the word ‘black’ used to describe a “Race” of people was once not seen as a racial description, but a perception of colour. It was used by the early Greek and Arabic imperialists. However as the word “Black” stands now, it is used to describe a “Race” of people who are “Black” of “African” descent. As I have said before - how can someone be a “Black Person” of African descent?, it just does not make any logical sense, so I have decided to search the Websters dictionary, to see their definition of the word ‘black’; black people, African, African-American, descent and here’s what I found. Black - 1.of the color black; also very dark 2.Swarthy 3. of or relating to various groups of dark- skinned people 4. of or relating to the African-American people or their culture 5. Soiled Dirty 6. Lacking light A black pigment or dye; also something (as clothing) that is black 2. the characteristic color of soot or coal 3.a person of a dark skinned race 4. African American Black People- 1. a person of a dark skinned race 2. African American people African- 1. a native or inhabitant of Africa 2. a person of African ancestry African-American - an American of African esp. of black African descent Descent - 1. :Ancestry, Birth, Lineage 2. : the act or process of descending
What Statement are you making? Bedfordshire Police continues to call for the public to support the fight against gun crime with the message: ‘Bedfordshire Police is making a statement about gun crime – are you? If you want action, make your words count’. The message is supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Luton Borough Council as part of a much wider range of enforcement, reassurance and community cohesion activity going on in the town. It is designed to provoke people with information about incidents, where firearms or violence have been used, to put pen to paper and make a statement. “Since the murder of Paul Foster in April 2013 Luton has witnessed an unusual and worrying increase in gun related and violent crime,” said Chief Superintendent Mark Turner. “That is now being addressed and brought under control but with further help from the public we can ensure an even safer Luton for everyone. “We continue to ask Luton residents to be brave and make statements that will help us bring people to justice. We understand that putting yourself forward in this way could cause concern but we want to reassure people, it might be as simple as a confidential conversation but if it is concerns for yourself or family then talk to us about it, we have measures we can put in place to address these fears and anxieties,” he added.
Now does anyone see the problems with the above definitions of “Black”, “African” and “Descent”? Webster, itself, seems to be confused as well, between the defining of “Black” and “African” and even blind to acknowledge “Descent”. Webster Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins said: makes it clear, that black refers to a colour, but also abides by “The conviction of Kyle Beckford earlier this year the “social construct” in terms to race, the definition states a “Person of a dark skinned race”, now what “Race” would this be exshowed the value of the public passing on information. actly? the definition also asserts “of or relating to various groups Without key pieces of evidence, that result may not of dark skinned people”. (That could be ANYBODY)ly amazing have been possible.” is Webster asserts the definition of ›African is a na 6
A ÂŁ2000 reward is still on offer from Bedfordshire Police and Crimestoppers, to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction for gun crime. Anyone with information relating firearms offences can contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 101, or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
DID YOU KNOW? The Universal Declaration on Human Rights declared over 60 years ago, that all humans were born free and equal with rights common to all, and exclusive to none. Sixty-odd years later, in spite of the clear and express prohibition of slavery, trafficking in humans stands at an astoundingly and eerily high level, eclipsing all other eras. In other words, with 30 million people, mostly women and girls, currently being exploited and violated in the sex/human trafficking trade at this precise, moment, there have never been more people enslaved in global history.
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SHOUT OUT AGAINST HATE CRIME
support groups, councils and criminal justice partners, are committed to preventing and reducing hate crime.
On 20 May 2014 Bedfordshire’s Hate Crime Strategy was launched at Police Headquarters. A strong turnout showed the willingness of partners and organisations in tackling hate crime and to say NO to hate crime.
Importance of reporting Hate Crime Commissioner Olly Martins insists that hate crime should never be tolerated but suspects that it is vastly under-reported in Bedfordshire. He points out: ‘National studies show you can multiply by four the number of hate crimes that are actually reported. We need to change that.’
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Tafheen Sharif is keen for victims and witnesses across Bedfordshire ‘to shout out’ against hate crime. Tafheen, who leads on Hate Crime for Commissioner Olly Martins and is part of the county-wide Hate Crime Task Group, talks to “Blackbright news” on the Hate Crime campaign.
Some victims and witnesses may keep silent because they are concerned about what will happen if they speak out. But the fact is that talking to a support service or the police puts them in touch with experts who will understand their fears and explain how they can be supported.
“Hate crime can have horrible effects on people’s lives and negative impacts on our communities. This is why Bedfordshire’s recent launch of the “Hate Crime Strategy” for tackling hate crime is so important.
Or it may be that people are concerned that what they say will not be in confidence. In fact, the police and support services will not give information
The plans we have made with the united support of partners and organisations across Bedfordshire are designed to encourage more victims and witnesses to seek the help they need, and for the public to “say no to hate crime ! ”, these include hate based on race, religion, disability and many others . The launch was attended by more than 50 organisations which, along with our three Community Safety Partnerships, the police, victim
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about the caller to anyone else without their agreement.
this very serious issue and encourage and support people to come forward.
Or possibly people think they are not being taken seriously, or nothing is being done with their issue once they have reported. In line with the strategy internal processes and procedure are being relooked at to embed a cultural change in Bedfordshire Police and in fact Inspectors across the business areas are being nominated as “Hate Champions”- the matter is thus being taken seriously. Whatever their concerns, let me reassure them that they will be respected and supported when they make that call.
Stepping up the Action From 9-13 June, a special “Week of Action” was held across Bedfordshire, with events including awareness sessions for community groups and school visits by PCSOs who talked to students and staff about, for example, cyberbullying. In the following months, at the Hate Crime Task Group we will be analysing the information we’ve gathered to gain a better picture of hate crime and tackle the underlying causes.
Pulling together Sadly, there are victims of hatred to be found world-wide. I am particularly aware of this following my recent trip to Bosnia as part of a UK police delegation to help raise public awareness of hatred and the need to reject it. Supporters there are learning from victims and survivors how hatred can be overcome – and that is something that we in Bedfordshire are also intent on doing. Racism, discrimination and the promotion of hatred continues to persist, even in the UK however my message: “hatred must not be tolerated in any shape or form in any country.”
I am also keen on seeking and developing “Hate Crime Youth Ambassadors”, which I am very excited about. Young people are our future leaders and need to be valued in our communities. I am keen to provide this opportunity to young people to help make a difference in this very important and serious issue in tackling Hate Crime.” What is hate crime? It includes physical attacks to someone or their property, offensive letters or phone calls, verbal abuse or insults, and bullying at school or work. It is motivated by, for example, prejudice or intolof disability, race or religion and others. Chief Constable Colette Paul describes it as a “pugnacious crime that really impacts on people’s lives. It is the responsibility of all of us not only to support and encourage people to report it, but also to challenge this poor behaviour.” People experiencing or seeing hate crime can report any incidents to the police by calling 101 or, if a crime is in progress, 999.
Since launching our hate crime plans in May 2014, it’s been all systems go to ensure that we listen to and learn from hate crime victims. We have provided specially designed training to a range of groups in support and awareness – crucial elements in tackling hate crime. With partners we hope to increase data sharing to provide an evidence-based approach to tackling this pernicious crime; and developing and sharing knowledge. We have distributed informative posters and leaflets across Bedfordshire to raise awareness on
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NHS TARGETS Did You Know..? Instead of waiting up to 18 hours in A&E, the target is now for patients to be seen within 4 hours!
HOW MANY KINDS OF CHILD ABUSE?
The target for Ambulance Category A calls (Lifethreatening Calls) is for 75% of the calls to be met within 8 minutes (the worst performer achieved 71%)
“The first image refers to pedophilia in the Vatican. Second child sexual abuse in tourism in Thailand, and the third refers to the war in Syria. The fourth image refers to the trafficking of organs on the black market, where most of the victims are children from poor countries; the fifth refers to weapons free in the US; and finally the sixth image refers to obesity, blaming the big fast food companies.
GPs/Consultants are to make sure treatment is started within 18 weeks of a GP referral to a specialist The maximum wait for first elective hospital admission (i.e. to get into hospital) is 18 months. The Great Health Revolution is argued to be the biggest NHS shake up in 60 years, which is causing many NHS staff to feel overworked and vulnerable. Patients are getting increasingly worried when they discover they need to be confined in hospital, because forced recovery is one of the ways to meet targets. It goes without saying, that patients want to feel safe and secure while in the hands of the health service, whether they need to meet targets or not!
The new series is by Cuban artist Erik Ravelo was title as “The Untouchables” are photographs of children crucified for his supposed oppressors, each for a different reason and a clear message – seeks to reaffirm the right of children to be protected and report abuse suffered by them, especially in countries such as Brazil, Syria, Thailand, United States and Japan.
NHS Targets/‘Payment By Results’ have been equated to the target regime in the former Soviet Union – the only difference being that NHS managers are threatened with loss of their jobs, rather than loss of life or liberty. So what’s in store for patients? – Ministers want to create a ‘patient-led NHS’ by giving power to GPs and front line clinicians, believing that this
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will improve care and cut costs, particularly in view of our ageing population, increasing complexity of illness and the associated increase costs of drugs and new treatments. What could be the consequences of meeting targets? Diagnosis can feel rushed; patients feel the need to self-diagnose meaning that GPs can get an inaccurate or incomplete picture of an illness; patients are churned in and out of elective hospital admissions/discharge, and because follow-up care has no target, I read that 25 Ophthalmology patients in Bristol lost their vision over two years, because the only way the service met their targets was by cancelling and delaying follow up outpatients appointments! Regulation by targets assumes that priorities can be targeted.
How does all this make patients feel? Patients can be led to believe the health service is more concerned with hitting targets than delivering high quality care. With hospital staff having to meet ‘unreasonable’ targets and because hospitals are now responsible for self-funding, someone will pay the price. Fear is that the private sector will ‘cherry pick’ easy and high profit services such as hernia repair, leaving the difficult and costly areas such as mental health, geriatrics, A&E and intensive care, to be handled by NHS staff. Will the need to meet targets result in attempts to defraud, distort figures, employ ‘gaming’ tactics? ‘Gaming’ is when the government or the public can distinguish what was measured at the expense of unacceptable poor outcomes; concealment by ambiguity in the way the data is reported or fabricated. How does the NHS think they can ensure patients receive better care? By what they call ‘Quality Standards’, which sets out the best practice for treating patients suffering from different types of diseases; measured by statistics and patient feedback. The concern I personally 11
- Offering private services to patients (currently 2-10% revenue comes from private patients); Hospitals will be allowed to get up to 49% of their revenue from private patients. Does this mean a two-tier system where an NHS patient and a private patient have the same illness will NHS patients on the same ward receive different treatment or get pushed to the back of the line?? - Word on the streets is that money received from private patients is invested back into NHS – but supposing they don’t make enough? London’s Royal Marsden get’s a quarter of its revenue from private patients. - Hospitals will be allowed to go bankrupt – increasing revenue via private patients should make them financially stable, however, if unsuccessful, without Government support, many hospitals, including teaching hospitals in London might technically go bankrupt.
have with this, is of course as mentioned above, staff using gaming tactics, so that figures are skewed, and whether patients will give honest feedback or any feedback at all for fear of reprisals. Some patients could believe (right or wrong) that if they give constructive feedback and then have to be confined in the same hospital they criticised, they might be ‘punished’. Feedback forms are meant to be anonymous, but there are some cases where there are identifying features embedded in some of the forms, and besides, are patients the best judge of what treatment they should receive – so their judgement if off, the feedback could be biased.
How can we maximise social benefits and minimise costs? [1) Employ/Commission an Independent Body to investigate the genuineness of reporting 2) Assess whether improvements can be measured and if so, at what cost?
What does the NHS believe the way forward is? Hospitals will have to generate their own funding by:
Lady Loy and D-Lo discuss NHS Targets supported by music on this podcast: http://lutonloy.podomatic.com/entry/2 014-08-04T11_11_39-07_00
By offering services to GPs for a fee (does this mean GPs will be selective who their refer)? Feeling the financial pinch may mean reluctance to refer - Controlling their own budgets - Borrowing money
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Human trafficking arrests in Luton after women found A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after two women in their late teens were found at a property in Luton, Bedfordshire (UK). Officers found the women at an address on Cross Ways, Farley Hill, Luton on Thursday. Police said the arrests of the 24-year-old woman and 30-year-old man, both from Hungary, followed information received from members of the public. The women, thought to be from Hungary, are being supported by officers. Nine arrests in ‘biggest ever’ sex trafficking raids Officers staged the early-morning raids to try to find suspected sex traffickers at the targeted properties. Nine people have been arrested after the UK Border Agency launched its biggest ever operation against a suspected sex trafficking ring. More than 150 police and border agency officers staged raids in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, London and Surrey. A total of 13 raids took place at homes and suspected brothels. The alleged ringleader was among those detained. The raids, the culmination of a year-long investigation, were held in Cambridge, Chessington, Ely, Farnborough, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Langley, Luton, Maidenhead, Sunbury, Watford and Westcliff-on-Sea. Three men aged 52, 38 and 34 and a woman aged 35, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to control prostitution for gain, trafficking and money laundering offences. In addition four men and a woman, all believed to be Chinese nationals, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the brothel’s management. Three people, all Chinese nationals, were also detained over immigration offences. Women who were believed to have been working at brothels were taken to a specialist assessment centre. A UK Border Agency (UKBA) spokesman said the men and women involved were mostly from south-east Asia and China. Sam Bullimore, assistant director of UKBA, said the focus of the investigation was not only to close down brothels but to find the “Mr Bigs” behind the gangs. Women who were believed to have been working at brothels were taken to a specialist centre He added the location of the raids demonstrated how sexual exploitation is taking place in the centre of communities. “It’s often hidden but the real impact is that people are brought from foreign countries - vulnerable women - who are trafficked,” Mr Bullimore said. “They don’t want to do this and they are being involved in sexual exploitation. “It undermines communities. It’s often hidden but it’s something that you don’t want on your street and something that we don’t want in the UK, and that is why we are determined to tackle it.” Conservative Immigration Minister Damian Green said the crackdown would continue over the coming months. “As the raids show, we are working with the police and other law enforcement agencies to tackle the organised criminals who abuse the immigration system. Efforts to break up the organised gangs who trade in human beings and are behind visa scams are under way. “The message is clear - the UK is no longer a safe haven for immigration offenders and human traffickers.”
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Positive Roots Consultancy is a Family Welfare/Support organisation that seeks to empower individuals & communities to lead a healthy and violence free lifestyle both in the UK and abroad. The staff team at Positive Roots Consultancy Ltd comprises of criminologists, social workers, probation officers, parenting practitioners, youth workers, psychotherapists and life coaches. We are specialists in addressing issues relating to all forms of abuse including parent to teen violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation/ sexualised behaviour & child protection concerns. Our services also extend to working with offenders & those at risk of offending. Positive Roots provide these services to parents/carers, children/young people & all health, social & criminal justice professionals working with children & families. www.positiverootsconsultancy.co.uk
07591 165870
BOOKS WRITTEN BY MYRNA LOY
sioner, Bedfordshire Police, Luton Borough Council’s Community Development and Health partners that essentially empowers communities to take action against drug dealing. The aims are to educate, to raise awareness and instil greater confidence in families and communities.
Most importantly, and this is an outcome that I am passionate about - I want to ensure that our young people do not see drug dealing as a lifestyle choice.
The campaign against drug dealing in Luton has officially started, after a successful pilot in the area of Dallow in 2013.
I want them to understand that there will be consequences, harsh ones at that, such as imprisonment, a criminal record, the (significant) risk of not securing employment, the shame showered upon family members, becoming ostracised from one’s family and even death. It’s just not worth it!
Growing up in Luton, and especially in recent years, I have seen many young people, lads in particular, involved in drugs in some shape or form whether this is using or dealing or even making drugs. A multi-billion pound industry. An industry that destroys many lives and causes despair.
This is why I call upon all of you to help us to tackle this issue and to drive out the dealers from our streets, from our communities.
Unfortunately too many young people have been tempted down the route of drug dealing, bringing destruction to their own lives, those of their families, and also the lives of vulnerable people who for one reason or another find themselves trapped in drugs.
It is time for us to open eyes and take responsibility so that we can tackle this issue together. Action now will prevent our children, who are our future, from making such a catastrophic mistake in their lives.
I understand that the harsh economy, lack of employment opportunities, aspirations for flash cars and designer gear, combined with a lack of positive role models, all contribute to the attraction of drugs, whether this is for illicit financial gain or escapism from despair.
During this week of action from Monday, June 16 to Friday 20th June I will be blogging about the Community Action Against Drug Dealing campaign, hand in hand with radio shows taking place each evening.
In response to community fears, I founded the Community Action Against Drug Dealing Group which is a partnership between the local community, the Police and Crime Commis-
On June 20 between 1pm and 7pm at Bury Park Community Centre there will be a big finale: ‘Drug Action Day’ with the following work14
shops: 2-2:45pm What are the drug issues in Luton? How to report problems confidentially and what Authorities do with the information 3-3:45pm Workshop for parents - help for parents, education and awareness raising 4-4:45pm Drug agencies and support in Luton. 5-5:45pm Young people and drugs - consequences and lifestyle changes 5-5:45pm Workshop for parents - help for parents, education and awareness raising (repeat) 6-7:00pm Live finale radio show from Coffee Pot, Bury Park. A panel will be taking questions from the public. An ex-drug dealer’s car which has been seized by authorities will be on display throughout the day.
Did you know?
The message is clear: it may look like a high and easy life now, however, you will end up in prison and it will destroy your life. Submitted by Tafheen Sharif
Read more: http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Blogs/BLOGBedfordshires-deputy-PCC-Tafheen-Sharif-talks-about-tackling-drug-dealing-in-Luton-20140617172246.htm#ixzz36WaA mqir
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