Men are offering Ukrainian refugee women a place to stay in return for sex, a charity has warned. The housing charity claims the official Homes For Ukraine government scheme has become an opportunity for men to exploit women for sexual gratification.
Positive Action in Housing claimed to have received direct reports from Ukrainian women who say men registered for the scheme are contacting them to offer a home in return for sex. The Glasgow-based charity stated that one man contacted a young Ukrainian woman who was looking for information on the government scheme on social media and was asked to send photos of herself.
He allegedly wrote: “There are some people who are interested in coming to my house. So I need to make a decision. I am a doctor and live alone in a big house.” She claims he sent pictures of himself sitting in first class on a plane, a sports car, and rooms in a luxury house as well as a hot tub.
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The woman responded: “I'll probably use the official application, as I don't trust anyone in such a situation coming to a foreign country… I'm not looking for dating. And I know what some people use it for, I'm also not into some kind of escort.”
He replied: “I am doing this through the official route. I have registered and I can nominate one person." The man sent a screenshot of his official confirmation email from the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme followed by an offer of an “arrangement“.
He wrote: "So, free accommodation, food, expenses, plus a monthly allowance. The other option for you is to register with charities in which case you will be allocated randomly.” The charity said the woman mentioned that she was fleeing the war alongside her mother - and upon this, he changed his mind.
It comes as 16 refugee and anti-trafficking organisations have already warned of the programme's lack of safeguards to protect women and children. Charity director Robina Qureshi said: "We are right now observing safeguarding breaches and unsafe situations on an industrial scale as a result of the Homes for Refugees Scheme.
“We are worried that Ukrainian refugees, especially children and young people as young as 13, confuse the official registered email from Homes for Ukrainians sent to those who sign up to the government register, and think the 'sponsor' is legitimate and cleared.
“Over five hundred Ukraine families, children and young people have contacted us for advice with visas and sponsors. The numbers of children and young people seeking to travel alone is alarming and unprecedented. Their parents are determined to get them out of war zones and are turning to social media to find sponsors.
“We would not send foster children or children about to be adopted onto social media to find new mothers and fathers. So why are we doing this to the children of Ukrainians?
"Across the water, Ireland expects to take in up to 200,000. This country must do what every other country in Europe is doing right now, roll up our sleeves work hand in hand with NGOs and registered volunteers and let Ukrainians enter the UK.
"Drop the sponsorship and visa requirements so that people do not need to wait in war zones or be targets for people traffickers and people with the wrong intent on social media."
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