Trafficking is a serious human rights violation. It is prohibited by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and defined by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as a particularly severe form of organised crime. Trafficking in human beings is a modern form of slavery which destroys families and lives. Victims, usually women, are transported and coerced into exploitative conditions such as sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, criminal activities, and even the removal of organs. By choosing “We Stand Up for Women” as the motto for her term of office, President Renata Trottmann Probst is inspiring the 34,000 members of Soroptimist International of Europe to address this human rights violation which is not always visible, but is happening right in front of our eyes.
From 2010 to 2012, European Union Member States reported a total number of 30,146 registered, identified and presumed victims. Out of the victims trafficked for sexual exploitation, 95% were female[1]
Victims and their families suffer major physical and psychological consequences. Sustained abuse – including sexual abuse –, living in constant fear, poor living and working conditions severely impacts victims’ health. Trafficked women often suffer from extreme emotional stress, shame, grief, anxiety, and post-traumatic disorder, which can lead them to drugs, alcohol and even death.
EU Anti-Trafficking Day on 18 October is an occasion to reinvigorate Europe-wide commitment for eradicating trafficking in human beings. It is a time for policymakers and the public to reflect upon the response to THB in Europe. For example, national governments need to improve the identification of victims and the assistance that is provided. Failure to ensure better investigation and prosecution of human trafficking crimes is still a real problem that engenders a feeling of impunity for human trafficking offenders. In the context of the refugee crisis, unaccompanied children are especially vulnerable targets and should be provided with special care and attention.
“Raising awareness of and helping to prevent human trafficking has been part of Soroptimist International of Europe’s work for many years”, says Elizabeth Otieno Nyadwe, Vice President for Advocacy. For example, the Union of Norway’s project “Valgt det…” (“Chose it”), which was nominated project of the year for the Best Practices Awards 2018, launched a storytelling theatre on human trafficking to inform, engage and create debate on human trafficking, in particular among young people. SI Club Aalen/Ostwürttemberg of Germany initiated an enormously successful and long-term campaign against human trafficking and sex slavery in Germany and Romania. They informed the public about the trade by placing posters throughout German cities and printed postcards to send to politicians. With the support of SI Clubs in Arad and Timisoara, they go into schools to educate young people in Romania about the dangers of human trafficking.
Soroptimists will continue to tackle human trafficking through their Union and Club projects until all women, children and men are free from this modern form of slavery.
Click here to learn more about Trafficking in Human beings
For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Otieno Nyadwe, Vice President Advocacy – Meltem Zourdos, Executive Director siehq@soroptimisteurope.org
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/eurostat_report_on_trafficking_in_human_beings_-_2015_edition.pdf