The Euronews program Inside Albania hosted a feature last week focusing on the issue of Human Trafficking, specifically between Albania and the UK.

‘Asylum Hotels’

Host Alice Taylor addressed a recent incident in the UK, where children in the care of the Home Office have gone missing from their temporary accommodation in hotels while waiting for their asylum claims to be assessed.

It was recounted that 136 children vanished from a hotel in Brighton, and yet his hotel has since been brought back into use by the Home Office, even while some of those previous children remained missing.

Tim Loughton, MP for the constituency where this took place, stated that the children are largely “older teenagers” and “free to abscond if they choose to”, however upon being asked by the host what had been done to find the missing children, he could not provide details of actions that had been taken.

Patricia Burr, The CEO of ECPAT, a UK NGO, was interviewed by the program and rebutted the implications of Tim Loughton’s words.

She emphasised that even where children appear to have left by their own volition, this should not be taken at face value and it should not be assumed that those children are any less at risk, since traffickers often use tactics of persuasion and manipulation to acquire victims.

ECPAT holds that UK legislation such as the Children’s Act 1989 give the government a responsibility to protect and care for any children who arrive in the UK, even if they are ultimately to be returned to their country of origin, and that the Home Office should connect them to social services who can make provisions in the best interests of the children.

ECPAT is in the process of taking legal action against UK authorities over their failure to meet the basic needs of children in these circumstances.

The majority of the children in question are Albanian, and so Alice Taylor next welcomed Sister Imelda Poole, IBVM, president of NGO Mary Ward Loreto and founding member of RENATE, to share a perspective on this issue from Albania.

Sr. Imelda emphasised that in Albania there is no single anti-trafficking law, but that legal advocates for trafficked persons have to draw upon several different pieces of legislation in order to assert the rights of these individuals.

She also noted that there was a lack of facilities to provide temporary accommodation to those returned to Albania from the UK, noting that on one day when UK lawyers inquired about the provisions available, there were only 12 places free in shelters.

Sr. Imelda explained the need for trauma-informed care for returnees, which involves provision of a safe space to understand their own experience, tell their truth and begin to process and recover their own agency.

This was described as a “painful journey” that could take “over a year” for many trafficked persons.

Mary Ward Loreto has been informed of many trafficked persons finding themselves homeless because government bodies and local care authorities are unable to define their complex circumstances as being victims of trafficking under UK law, which would otherwise afford them protections that they sorely need.

Scroll for English translation

Liebe Freundinnen und Freunde, liebe Interessierte,
womöglich haben Sie bei diesem SOLWODI Aktuell das Gefühl eines Déjà-vus, denn es nicht einmal drei Monate her, dass unsere Ausstellung „Rückkehr in Würde. Chancen für ein selbstbestimmtes Leben“ in der Zitadelle Spandau mit einer inspirierenden Finissage erfolgreich zu Ende ging. Und doch berichten wir heute erneut von der Ausstellung, die nun – nach kurzer Unterbrechung – im Landtag Rheinland-Pfalz zu sehen ist.
Zur Vernissage am 21. Juni begrüßte Landtagspräsident Hendrik Hering die etwa 50 Gäste herzlich im Landtagsgebäude. Er betonte die Bedeutung des Rückkehrprogramms, zu dessen 30-jährigen Jubiläum die Ausstellung im vergangenen Jahr entstanden war. Dafür warf er auch einen Blick in die
Vergangenheit des Landesparlaments, das bereits in den 1990er Jahren erste Anträge zum Thema Migration und Integration
behandelt hatte.
Dr. Maria Decker, Vorsitzende von SOLWODI Deutschland e. V., stellte in ihrer Begrüßung die Schwierigkeiten und Herausforderungen heraus, mit denen Frauen konfrontiert sind, die sich für eine Rückkehr entscheiden. Neben Gewalterfahrungen und Traumata kann auch das Stigma „es nicht
geschafft zu haben“ einen Neuanfang im Herkunftsland erschweren. Maria Decker betonte besonders die Gefahr, wieder in den gleichen Kontexten zu landen, die zu einer Flucht oder Ausreise geführt haben.

Dieser tritt SOLWODI mit dem Rückkehr- und Reintegrationsprogramm und gemeinsam mit Partnerorganisationen aus rund 50 Ländern seit 30 Jahren entgegen. Für die umfassende Förderung und Unterstützung dieser Arbeit dankte Maria Decker dem Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche
Zusammenarbeit (BMZ) und die Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (giz). Weiterhin galt ihr Dank den Mitarbeiterinnen des Programms, den Kolleginnen, die die Ausstellung geplant und umgesetzt haben und selbstverständlich dem Präsidenten sowie den Mitarbeiterinnen des Landtags Rheinland-Pfalz. Roshan Heiler, die als Vertreterin der giz ein Grußwort an die Anwesenden richtete, schloss sich dem Dank an. Zudem lobte sie die langjährige, gute Zusammenarbeit von SOLWODI und der giz, durch die vielen Frauen eine Rückkehr in Würde ermöglicht werden konnte. Zuletzt kam auch Gudrun Angelis als Kuratorin der Ausstellung zu Wort. Sie berichtete auf Basis ihrer langjährigen Erfahrung als Mitarbeiterin bei SOLWODI, wie herausfordernd die Rückkehr in das Herkunftsland für die Frauen sein kann. Sie müssten sich nicht nur in einer veränderten Umgebung neu Alle Fotos: Landtag Rheinland-Pfalz orientieren, sondern viele unterschiedliche Herausforderungen meistern. Umso wichtiger ist es, die persönlichen Geschichten, den Mut und das Durchhaltevermögen, aber auch Träume und Hoffnungen dieser Frauen zu beleuchten. Für die Möglichkeit, dies in der Ausstellung umsetzen zu können, dankte Gudrun Angelis den Rückkehrerinnen, die ihre Erfahrungen mit den Besucherinnen teilen. Ihr Dank
galt zugleich dem BMZ und der giz für die Förderung des Programms und der Ausstellung, dem Landtag
für die Möglichkeit, die Ausstellung in Mainz zeigen zu können, und natürlich den Mitarbeiterinnen des
Rückkehr- und Reintegrationsprogramms. Damit eröffnete Gudrun Angelis die Ausstellung.
Im Erdgeschoss des Landtagsgebäudes erwartet die Besucherinnen ein dokumentarischer Teil, der über politische und gesellschaftliche Auswirkungen auf das Programm sowie die Herausforderungen bei der Rückkehr informiert. Zudem kommen dort einige unserer Rückkehrerinnen zu Wort. 23 Frauen hatten uns erlaubt, ihren Rückkehrprozess anonymisiert in Form von Collagen zu veröffentlichen. Oft sind es nur kurze, einzeilige Momentaufnahmen oder Fotografien, die einen Einblick in ihre persönliche, aber auch in die politische Situation ihres Herkunftslandes geben. Beispielhaft berichteten Charlotte Becker, Jasmin Kelter und Aferdita Salihu aus dem Rückkehr- und Reintegrationsprogramm über einige Frauen, bevor die Gäste der Einladung ins Abgeordnetenhaus folgten. Dort erwartete sie nun der künstlerische Teil mit 37 Werken, für die sich die Künstlerinnen
mit vorab veröffentlichten und anonymisierten Lebensläufen
unserer Klientinnen beschäftigt hatten. Viele nutzten inmitten
dieser kunstvollen Stücke die Gelegenheit zu interessanten
Gesprächen über das Rückkehr- und Reintegrationsprogramm,
über die Herausforderungen angesichts der aktuellen politischen Entwicklungen und über die vielfältigen Kunstwerke. Zu
Gast waren auch vier der Künstlerinnen, die die Unterhaltungen sehr bereicherten.
Wir danken herzlich dem Landtag Rheinland-Pfalz für die Möglichkeit, die Ausstellung in den Räumlichkeiten in Mainz präsentieren zu dürfen. Ein großer Dank geht auch an den Landtagspräsident Hendrik Hering sowie seine Mitarbeiter*innen für die reibungslose Organisation und eine wunderbare Vernissage. Nicht zuletzt danken wir allen Gästen der Vernissage, die uns mit großem Interesse an unserer Arbeit und an der Ausstellung unterstützen.

Die Ausstellung „Rückkehr in Würde. Chancen für ein selbstbestimmtes Leben“ ist noch bis zum 14. Juli im Erdgeschoss des Deutschhauses (Platz der Mainzer Republik 1 in 55116 Mainz) sowie im Foyer des Abgeordnetengebäudes (Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 3 in 55116 Mainz) von Montag bis Freitag in der Zeit von 8:00 bis 18:00 Uhr zu sehen. Sie können aus Sicherheitsgründen dazu aufgefordert werden, Ihren Personalausweis vorzuzeigen.

Wenn Sie die Arbeit von SOLWODI finanziell fördern wollen, können Sie das hier tun:

Kreissparkasse Rhein-Hunsrück
BIC: MALADE51SIM
IBAN: DE02 5605 1790 0001 1270 00
Wir möchten Sie wöchentlich mit „SOLWODI +++ Aktuell“ über Entwicklungen in unserer Arbeit informieren. Sie finden „SOLWODI +++ Aktuell“ auf unserer Homepage, können den Newsletter aber auch per E-Mail bestellen unter: info@solwodi.de
Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Dr. Maria Decker Barbara Wellner Sr. Paula Fiebag

Return in Dignity” – exhibition of the return program in the state parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate

Dear friends, Dear interested parties,

You may have the feeling of déjà vu with this SOLWODI news because it is not even three months ago, that our exhibition “Return in Dignity: Opportunities for a Self-Determined Life” in the Zitadelle Spandau came to a successful end with an inspiring vernissage. And yet, today we report again about the exhibition, which is now – after a short break – in the state parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate. 

Welcomed to the vernissage on June 21^st, State Parliament President Hendrik Hering stressed the importance of the return program, for its 30th anniversary. For that, he also took a look at the past of the state parliament’s first applications, as early as the 1990s, on migration and integration.

Dr Maria Decker, Chairwoman of SOLWODI Germany, introduced the difficulties and challenges faced by women applying to return. In addition to experiences of violence and trauma, the stigma “I cant make it” makes a new beginning in the country of origin more difficult. Maria Decker particularly emphasized the danger of ending up again in the same contexts that led to an escape or departure. This spurred on SOLWODI with their return and reintegration program, together with partner organizations from around 50 countries for 30 years. For the comprehensive promotion and support of this work, Maria Decker thanked the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs Cooperation (BMZ) and the Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). She also thanked the employees of the program, and the colleagues who planned, ran, and implemented the exhibition. Lastly, she thanked the President and the staff of the state parliament Rhineland-Palatinate.

Roshan Heiler, who, as a representative of GIZ, said a word of welcome to the attendees, joined in the thanks. Roshan also praised the many years of good cooperation between SOLWODI and the GIZ, which enables many women to return with dignity. Most recently, Gudrun Angelis also came as curator of the exhibition. She reported on the basis of her many years of experience as an employee at SOLWODI, how challenging it is to return to the country of origin for the women. They would not only have to reinvent themselves in a changed environment orientation but master many different challenges. It is all the more important that personal stories, courage and perseverance, but also dreams and hopes are shared to illuminate these women. Gudrun Angelis thanked the returnees who shared their experiences with the visitors, and for the opportunity to implement these in the exhibition. Our thanks were also given to the BMZ and GIZ for funding the program and the exhibition, the state parliament for the opportunity to show the exhibition in Mainz, and of course the employees of thereturn and reintegration programme. With this, Gudrun Angelis opened the exhibition.

A documentary section awaits visitors on the ground floor of the state parliament building about political and social effects on the program and the challenges informed upon return. In addition, some of our returnees have their say there. 23 women allowed us to publish their return process anonymously in the form of collages. Often they are just short, single-line snapshots or photographs that provide an insight into their personal, but also in the political situation of their country of origin.

Charlotte Becker, Jasmin Kelter and Aferdita Salihu from the Return and Reintegration program spoke about some women before the guests of the invitation to the House of Representatives followed. 

Amongst the guests were also four of the artists who greatly enriched the conversations.

We would like to thank the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate for the opportunity to present the exhibition in the present premises in Mainz. A big thank you also goes to the President of the Landtag Hendrik Hering and his staff for the smooth organization and a wonderful vernissage. Last but not least, we would like to thank all the guests at the vernissage, who showed great interest in our support, our work and the exhibition.

The exhibition “Return with Dignity. Opportunities for a self-determined life” is still available until 14^th July on the ground floor of the Deutschhaus (Platz der Mainzer Republik 1 in 55116 Mainz) and in the foyer of the House of Representatives (Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 3 in 55116 Mainz) from Monday to Friday. 

Viewing time is from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For security reasons, you may be asked to show your identity card.

If you want to support the work of SOLWODI financially, you can do so here:

Kreissparkasse Rhein-Hunsrück

BIC: MALADE51SIM

IBAN: DE02 5605 1790 0001 1270 00

We would like to inform you weekly about developments in our work with “SOLWODI +++ Aktuell”.

inform. You will find “SOLWODI +++ Aktuell” on our homepage, but you can still subscribe to the newsletter

also order by email at: info@solwodi.de

Best regards

Dr. Maria Decker,  Barbara Wellner, and Sr. Paula Fiebag

“Just by the existence of this piece out there, taking up that space is going to bring that awareness of human trafficking. I think it’s one of the best things artworks can do. If it can stop human trafficking, if it can bring awareness of what’s happening under basically every city….

The first step is awareness. So, I’d consider this a weapon to fight human trafficking.” Timothy Schmalz. 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, blessed “Let the Oppressed Go Free,” Timothy Schmalz’s new sculpture on human trafficking in near the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in the Italian city of Schio, the town where Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of victims of human trafficking, lived and died. 

Entitled, “Let the Oppressed Go Free”, the 20-foot sculpture weighing over three tons depicts St. Josephine Bakhita opening a trapdoor as she frees figures that represent trafficking victims from diverse backgrounds.

Present at the ceremony was the sculptor himself, Mr. Timothy Schmalz together with Mayor of Schio, Mr. Valter Orsi; Mr. Christopher Bratty, the benefactor of the work and President of the Rudolph P. Bratty Family Foundation; Sr. Sandra Maggiolo, FdCC, Superior General of the Canossian Daughters of Charity; Sr. Abby Avelino, International Coordinator Talitha Kum;  Monsignor Carlo Guidolin, parish priest and moderator of the St. Bakhita Pastoral Unit and Mr. GianFrancesco Sartori, President of the Bakhita Schio-Sudan Association, led the unveiling ceremony of the installation.

The municipality is concerned about vulnerable Rotterdam youths being recruited by criminals. That is why a pilot has been started in two neighbourhoods of the city with youth workers and other professionals. They get a training in which they learn to recognize signs of criminal and sexual exploitation. The Chat About It! started. This should encourage victims to chat with social workers about their situation.

The reason for this approach is a study by the municipality from 2021. Five hundred professionals, such as community police officers, youth workers, municipal officials and school attendance officers, participated in the study. Nearly half indicated that they had been in contact with at least one suspected victim of criminal exploitation in the past two years.

Vulnerable youth

Criminals take advantage of vulnerable young people and force them to do criminal chores. Criminal exploitation involves coercion. That coercion does not always consist of violence, such as ‘a knife to the throat’. It is often more subtle; perpetrators abuse the trust, young age and naivety of victims. In this way, they are forced to commit a crime. For example, they have to hand over their debit card for money laundering. Or they are forced to commit drug-related crimes. Sexual exploitation happens when someone is forced to perform sexual acts. These are often vulnerable young people, such as minors, young people with a mild intellectual disability or who are struggling with debts.

More visibility

During the training, youth workers and other professionals are trained in recognizing signs of criminal and sexual exploitation. This training is carried out together with the organization Fier. They are a national expertise and treatment centre for anyone who has or has had to deal with violence in dependency relationships. Many victims are afraid to report, out of fear of the consequences. Therefor it is not clear how big the problem is exactly. That is why the municipality will carry out a follow-up study into recruitment practices at educational institutions in Rotterdam, the city with one of the biggest ports in Europe.

Schools are an important place where recruitment takes place. “This can be in practical education or secondary schools, but even in primary education.”
More and more young people in Rotterdam are being recruited for all kinds of crime. Especially young people who empty containers with drugs for a fee, so-called ‘snatchers’, are a major problem.

“Most have no idea what the consequences are if they step into this world. If the young person thinks: I have now earned thirty thousand euros by emptying a few containers and that is enough, the drug scene says: no, we want more of you. Professional criminals are in the neighbourhood 24/7, they know where your mother lives. Or they show a photo of your sister or brother. That is very intimidating.”

Chat About It!

It is important for young people who are being exploited that they can get help. That is why the municipality is also starting a campaign together to help victims of criminal or sexual exploitation. Via www.chaterover.nl (chat-about-it) a link opens an external page, young people can chat anonymously with social workers about their situation and – if they wish – come into contact with the police. People who are concerned about someone in their environment who may be exploited can also chat here. The municipality hopes that victims will take the first step to get out of their situation. For many young people, that threshold is huge, Chat About It! helps them with that.

Source: Rotterdam.nl, June 2023

Sources: NOS News & Le Monde

In a raid north of Manila, the Philippine police rescued over a thousand people, many of whom are foreign, who were often used to promote fake crypto investments.

Philippine police have freed more than 2,700 workers forced to work by cybercriminals in a major raid. The victims come from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and other Asian and African
countries.
It is the largest police action in the context of human trafficking so far this year, writes the AP news agency. Agents and commandos raided seven buildings in Las Pinas, a city in the same region as the capital Manila. It is unclear how many syndicate leaders were captured in the raid.

Fake ads on Facebook

The victims were lured with high salary offers and promises about good working conditions, including through advertisements on Facebook. Once they started talking to the people behind the ads, it all
turned out to be a scam and they couldn’t leave.
Some were forced to work for fraudulent online gambling and gaming websites. Others had to scam people into investing in fraudulent crypto coins. If they wanted to stop working, they had to pay large sums of money for unclear reasons, some workers told detectives. According to police, the victims feared being sold to other syndicates and were also forced to pay fines if they committed violations on the job.
In May, police in the town of Mabalacat, north of Manila, also raided a similar building where workers were being held hostage. At that time, some 1400 victims were liberated.

NOS Southeast Asia Correspondent Mustafa Marghadi:
“So-called cyberscam companies are a huge problem all over Southeast Asia. This crime mostly happens in here, but also because the people who are lured to work as cyber scammers mostly come from Southeast Asian countries.
Cambodia, in particular, is known for holding “modern day slaves” in large buildings in the coastal city of Sihanoukville to scam people out of money online. Most of the victims in Cambodia come from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Exactly the people who were also freed
during this rescue operation in the Philippines.
Southeast Asian leaders decided last month to better cooperate against these syndicates. For example, there will be stricter border controls and the people will be better educated not to fall for so-called job offers from people smugglers. In addition, they want to take tougher action against the
human smuggling gangs.”

Link to Le Monde Article: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/05/06/philippines-rescues-over-1-000-victims-of-trafficking_6025652_4.html

On June 20^th, 2023, the Platform Against Exploitation and Human Trafficking, Vienna, along with CARITAS and Youth One World, organised a symposium, the theme of which focused on “Children and youth as victims of exploitation and trafficking – challenges for child welfare in Austria”. 

The morning sessions were attended by quite some students with their teachers, highlighting short inputs on working exploitation, child trafficking, refugee-children and loverboys, as well as children’s rights and victim protection. This was then followed by a “world café” with different tables in the room, around which some of the participants were invited to gather, to talk in smaller groups and in some more depth about one or two of these topics, and present a short report afterwards.

During noon, there was a “reverse graffiti” action outside on St. Stephans place (the area around St. Stephans’s church in the city-center), on “Stop child-labour”.

The afternoon was targeted more to adults, and started with two video-interviews with victims, followed by two presentations on “Children’s rights and victim-protection: theory and reality/practice”, and a panel discussion on the topic.

The photos below show many of the participants of the reverse-graffiti action, as well as Dr. Beclin, Chair of the Platform and professor of the University Institute on Criminal Law and Criminology, presenting at the symposium. 

(Scroll for English translation)

Liebe Freundinnen und Freunde, liebe Interessierte, 

der letzte SOLWODI+++Aktuell liegt nun schon ein wenig zurück. Grund dafür waren zwei  Großveranstaltungen, auf denen wir die Arbeit und die Kernthemen von SOLWODI einer breiten  Öffentlichkeit präsentieren konnten: auf dem Kirchentag in Nürnberg und auf dem Rheinland-Pfalz Tag in Bad Ems. 

Der 38. Evangelische Kirchentag fand vom 07. bis 11. Juni statt und lockte etwa 70.000  Teilnehmer*innen auf das Nürnberger Messegelände. Der SOLWODI-Stand auf dem sogenannten Markt der Möglichkeiten war ein Ort der Begegnung und des Austauschs. Es war eine inspirierende  und bereichernde Erfahrung, an dieser bedeutenden Veranstaltung teilzunehmen und unter dem  Thema „Globale Herausforderungen – Migration, Flucht, Integration“ mit vielen engagierten  Menschen zusammenzukommen, die sich für soziale Gerechtigkeit und den Schutz der  Menschenrechte interessieren und einsetzen. 

Wir haben an diesen Tagen über die Arbeit von SOLWODI informiert und den Besucher*innen die  Möglichkeit gegeben, mehr über die Themen Menschenhandel, Zwangsprostitution, Zwangs verheiratung und andere Formen von Gewalt gegen Frauen zu erfahren. Dabei lag unser besonderes  Augenmerk darauf, auf die Situation der betroffenen Frauen aufmerksam zu machen und auf die  professionelle Unterstützung hinzuweisen, die wir ihnen bieten können. 

Besonders erfreulich war es, die  vielen positiven Reaktionen der menschen zu erleben. Viele  

Besucher*innen zeigten großes interesse an unseren Themen und waren dankbar für die Möglich 

keit, ihre eigenen Gedanken und erfahrungen einzubringen. Darü ber hinaus hatten wir die Chance, mit anderen Organisationen und Initiativen in Kontakt zu treten.

Es war ermutigend zu sehen, wie  viele Menschen bereit sind, sich für die Würde und Rechte von Frauen einzusetzen und gemeinsam gegen Menschenhandel und Gewalt  vorzugehen. So freuen wir uns besonders darüber, dass es gelungen ist, zusammen mit dem Bündnis  Nordisches Modell und mit Gemeinsam gegen Menschenhandel e. V. mehr als 1.700 Unterschriften  für unsere Resolution „Wertewandel in der Prostitutionsgesetzgebung“ zu sammeln. Aufgrund des  deutlichen Votums befürwortet auch der Deutsche Evangelische Kirchentag die Resolution, in der wir  von der Bundesregierung fordern, prostituierte Personen zu entkriminalisieren, deren Ausstieg zu unterstützen, Profitierende zu bestrafen und die Nachfrage nach Prostitution zu reduzieren. Wir hoffen, mit der Einreichung unserer Forderungen eine fundierte Diskussion zum Thema Nordisches  Modell auf Bundesebene anstoßen zu können und danken allen Unterzeichnern für Ihre  Unterstützung

Am darauffolgenden Wochenende war SOLWODI auf  dem Rheinland-Pfalz-Tag in Bad Ems mit einem Stand  vertreten. Im Bereich Rheinland-Pfalz solidarisch  konnten wir viele der 125.000 Besucher*innen mit  unseren Themen erreichen.  

Es ergaben sich viele tiefgründige Gespräche über die  Arbeit unserer Sozialarbeiterinnen und die Bedarfe der  Frauen, die in den vier Fachberatungsstellen, zwei  Schutzeinrichtungen und über das Rückkehr- und  Reintegrationsprogramm professionell begleitet  werden. Vor allem die Koblenzer Fachberatungsstelle  war angesichts der räumlichen Nähe zu Bad Ems für die Besucher*innen von Interesse. Gerne unterstützten sie  an diesem Tag mit einer kleinen Spende das Koblenzer  Schutzhaus, in dem Minderjährige und junge volljährige  Frauen eine sichere Unterkunft finden. 

Viele Menschen versuchten zudem ihr Glück an  unserem Glücksrad und wurden mit großartigen Preisen belohnt, die uns von lokalen Händlern zur  Verfügung gestellt wurden. Allen Unterstützer*innen  danken wir daher von Herzen.  

Eine besondere Freude waren die Besuche von  Ministerpräsidentin Malu Dreyer und von Bischof Dr.  Georg Bätzing an unserem Stand. Die Unterstützung  von prominenten Persönlichkeiten und die Aner 

kennung unserer Bemühungen unterstreichen die  Bedeutung unserer Arbeit im Kampf für die Rechte und  den Schutz von Frauen in schwierigen Lebens situationen. 

Wir möchten uns herzlich bei allen bedanken, die unsere Stände beim Kirchentag und beim Rheinland Pfalz-Tag besucht haben. Auch sprechen wir einen großen Dank an die Organisatoren der beiden  Veranstaltungen aus. Sie boten uns die Plattform, um Bewusstsein zu schaffen und die Öffentlichkeit  für die Situation der betroffenen Frauen zu sensibilisieren.  

Wenn Sie die Arbeit von SOLWODI finanziell fördern wollen, können Sie das hier tun: 

Kreissparkasse Rhein-Hunsrück  

BIC: MALADE51SIM  

IBAN: DE02 5605 1790 0001 1270 00  

Wir möchten Sie wöchentlich mit „SOLWODI +++ Aktuell“ über Entwicklungen in unserer Arbeit  informieren. Sie finden „SOLWODI +++ Aktuell“ auf unserer Homepage, können den Newsletter aber  auch per E-Mail bestellen unter: info@solwodi.de 

Mit freundlichen Grüßen 

Dr. Maria Decker Barbara Wellner Sr. Paula Fiebag

SOLWODI GERMANY: Evangelical Church Day and Rhineland-Palatinate Day

Dear friends, dear interested parties, the last SOLWODI Aktuell is now a little bit ago. The reason for this were two major events at which we were able to present the work and core topics of SOLWODI to a broad public: at the Church Congress in Nuremberg and at the Rhineland-Palatinate Day in Bad Ems.
The 38th Evangelical Church Congress took place from June 7th to 11th and attracted around 70,000 participants to the Nuremberg exhibition center. The SOLWODI booth at the so-called Market of Opportunities was a place of encounter and exchange. It was an inspiring and enriching experience to take part in this important event and to meet many committed people who are interested in and committed to social justice and the protection of human rights under the theme “Global Challenges – Migration, Flight, Integration”.
During these days we provided information about the work of SOLWODI and gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about human trafficking, forced prostitution, forced marriage and other forms of violence against women. Our special focus was on drawing attention to the situation of the women affected and pointing out the professional support that we can offer them.
It was particularly gratifying that we experienced many positive reactions. Many visitors showed great interest in our topics and we were grateful for the opportunity. In addition, we had the chance to get in touch with other organisations and initiatives. It was encouraging to see how many people were willing to sign up and stand up for the dignity and rights of women and work together against human trafficking and violence.
We are particularly pleased that, together with the Nordic Model Alliance and Together Against Human Trafficking, we collected more than 1,700 signatures for our resolution “Change in values ​​in prostitution legislation”. Due to the clear vote, the German Evangelical Church Congress also supports the resolution in which we call on the federal government to decriminalize prostitutes, support their exit, punish those who profit and reduce the demand for prostitution. We hope that the submission of our demands will lead to a well-founded discussion to initiate the issue of the Nordic model at federal level and would like to thank all signatories for their support.
In solidarity with Rhineland-Palatinate, we were able to reach many of the 125,000 visitors with our topics.
There were many in-depth discussions about the work of our social workers and the needs of the women who are professionally supported in the four counselling centres, two shelters and the return and reintegration program.

The Koblenz counselling centre in particular was of interest to visitors given its close proximity to Bad Ems. On this day, they are happy to support the Koblenz refuge with a small donation, where minors and young adult women find safe accommodation. Many people also tried their luck on our Wheel of Fortune and were rewarded with great prizes provided by local merchants.

We would therefore like to thank all supporters from the bottom of our hearts.

A particular pleasure were the visits of Prime Minister Malu Dreyer and Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing at our stand.
We would like to thank everyone who visited our stands at the Kirchentag and the Rheinland-Pfalz-Tag. We would also like to say a big thank you to the organizers of both events. They offered us the platform to create awareness and to sensitize the public to the situation of the women affected.

If you want to support the work of SOLWODI financially, you can do so here:
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The Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, has declared open the new wing of a Medaille Trust safe house which will provide refuge for eight more victims of modern slavery.

The safe house in Merseyside is one of 10 Medaille Trust safe houses in the country. With the launch of eight new rooms, the house can now provide supported accommodation for 18 male survivors of modern slavery. 

Unveiling a plaque to declare the new wing of the house open, the Archbishop prayed for the project to go from success to success and stressed the need for assistance to be provided to those who need help and support.

The new wing was part-funded by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. Their representative was delighted to see the plans come to fruition and was impressed by the modern and functional facility, which will be conducive to the residents’ recovery as they begin to plan the next stage of their journey to increased freedom and independence.

Medaille’s Mersey Service Manager Naomi Mumba-Dobson said: “The eight new beds will help us continue in our mission to provide accommodation and support to victims and survivors of modern slavery by giving people a lovely and warm place that they can use for their recovery and reflection period.”

In a message to guests, CEO of Medaille Trust Garry Smith said: “The number of victims of modern slavery is sadly growing significantly every year. Last year 129 men were referred to our survivor services in the North-West. We must continue to respond to this increase with much-needed support for those who escape and seek refuge and protection. The funding from the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, which we are very grateful for, has helped us with this response.”

One of the survivors of modern slavery related his experience coming to live at the Mersey safe house. He said: “I was really nervous when I arrived, but I was given a warm welcome, and from that day to this, my life has changed for the better. I have been shown kindness by every member of staff, and they helped me regain my confidence. I have been given access to various local services so I can build a promising future in front of me. I would like to thank all members of staff for the help and support they have given me.”

Medaille Trust is now trying to raise just over four hundred thousand pounds to further improve the Mersey safe house with a counselling room, a sports and recreation room, a multi-faith prayer room, and a training room, among other facilities. To donate please visit https://www.medaille-trust.org.uk/donate 

More from Medaille Trust UK:

Residents at one of Medaille Trust UK’s safe houses in London treated to free haircuts by Blue Tit  Salon

Residents at one of our safe houses in London were treated to free haircuts by Blue Tit
Salon. Aside from their generosity and kindness to our residents, we are also grateful to
the salon for its eagerness to raise awareness of modern slavery and the work of
Medaille Trust in offering refuge and support to victims of modern slavery. Thank you,
Blue Tit Salon.