: Now the Norwegian police are turning to house owners and warning against those who engage in human trafficking and prostitution.
In November 2020, a Swedish woman from Thailand was convicted of human trafficking, pimping and violating the immigration law. Now the police want to use the case to raise awareness and warn people who rent premises for Thai massage parlors. Woman was sentenced to 2 years and 10 months in prison, incl. for using a Thai woman for work and prostitution at a Thai massage parlor in Tromsø.
He was convicted of renting the premises to the Thai massage parlor where the victim worked
Her Norwegian common-law partner was convicted of renting premises for a Thai massage parlor where the victim worked. The court finds that he was grossly negligent in renting a premises that was used for prostitution. Court judgment The Court of Appeal in Hålogaland is final after the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed on February 19, 2021.
The police are aware that prostitution takes place in several Thai massage parlors
Now the police want to use this case to make people who rent premises for Thai massage parlors aware that this is an industry in which prostitution may also occur. Through these and other similar criminal cases, he also has knowledge that prostitution is taking place in several Thai massage parlors. This is also a well-known phenomenon in the massage industry. The judgment of the Court of Appeal in Hålogaland also shows that this is an area where people can be exploited for labor and prostitution in the way they say provisions of the Penal Code regarding human trafficking.
The goal is to protect people who may be exploited in prostitution
- This is a very serious matter and we can see that the problem is so extensive that we decide to go out and create awareness and broaden our knowledge about it. The goal is to protect people who may be exploited in prostitution. It is important for the police to emphasize that there are people in a Thai massage parlor who we also want to protect. This is Anja Perminow Straand, Kripos Police Lawyer and Leader of the National Police Competence Group to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.
Property owners may be convicted on the basis of the so-called "Pimp Clause"
Landlords who fail to act on prostitution on their premises may be convicted under the so-called The "pimp clause," which also includes gross negligence.
- Police want landlords to pay close attention to signs that sexual services are being offered in place of or in addition to Thai massage. This is Straand.
If, as a landlord, you know or suspect that prostitution or human trafficking exists in the accommodation you are renting, it is important that you contact the police. It is also important to terminate your tenancy as stated in your tenancy agreement if you have specific evidence of prostitution or knowledge of prostitution in the property you are renting.
The police are in dialogue with the Norwegian Massage Association, which has many Thai massage therapists
All police districts have their own trafficking groups. The leader of the trafficking team in the Tromsø Police District, Kenneth Henriksen, has over time focused on prostitution in Thai massage parlors in his district. As deputy chairman of the National Police Competence Group on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
- We have a good dialogue with the Norwegian Massage Association, which has many Thai massage therapists. The association realizes that there are many who misuse the name Thai massage to sell sexual services. They have neither the education nor the knowledge to offer a real Thai massage. The association believes that such actions distort competition for serious players. He also believes that Thai women may become stigmatized as a result, says Kenneth Henriksen.
The victims are often foreigners in difficult circumstances
The victims are often foreigners in difficult circumstances. They often refuse to contact or cooperate with the police or emergency services.
- We have seen that women are grossly abused, live and work in unworthy conditions. To prevent and uncover human trafficking, we need the help of the police, says Henriksen
Source: politiet.no
