This site details some typical stories of women trafficked into the UK for exploitation, often sexual. Please forward this link to others.

http://www.slavebritain.org.uk/photos/sheila.html

Mark

Today I read about the trial of the retired star rugby player Marc Cecillon, who shot dead his wife in front of 60 people at a garden party in 2004. He was found guilty of premeditated murder and will serve a 20-year life sentence.

The defence at the trial pointed out that he was drunk when he arrived with his wife and when he was abusive he was asked to leave. His wife refused to leave with him. He returned later with the Magnum hand gun and shot her.

This was described by the defence as a crime of passion. He was described as depressed and suffering from alcoholism. He also stated that he hadn't intended to kill her, even though he had shot her six times. The fact that the concept 'crime of passion' can still be used in France, and in most cases to justify the murder of women, is a sad fact. It suggests that it is the emotions that overcome the man, as if he himself is the actual victim of some injury.

A recent story on the BBC site suggest that men who have soft, round, 'feminine' faces are funnier and that younger siblings are more 'amusing'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6135148.stm

Of course, this will quickly give rise to yet another gender myth that feminine-looking men are funny and our chiselled handsome hunks are not, such is the speed with which research gets simplified with centrifugal certainty into black and white opinions on gender characteristics. But, after some considered thought, I think that this piece of research is, well, baloney.