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Caritas Ukraine, as a strong actor in counter trafficking activity has developed cooperation with the General Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Police of Ukraine, Ombudsman’s Office and leading international organizations involved in the prevention, screening, identification and assistance to victims of human trafficking such as OSCE, UNODC, IOM, La Strada Ukraine, GRETA and others. A number of working meetings, round tables and other events took place with the active participation of Caritas Ukraine representatives.
”Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 382 criminal offenses have been investigated for human trafficking. Suspicion notices have been noticed to 158 people. 12 organized criminal groups in the field of human trafficking have been neutralized. Indictments against 155 people were sent to court. 76 criminals were convicted. 197 people were recognised as victims. 126 of them (64%) are women and minors. At the same time, we realize that these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. First, we do not have reliable data on crimes committed by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, but the patterns of crimes we have seen in the regions liberated from the occupiers give an idea of their catastrophic scale”, Andriy Kostin, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. People who have been subjected to physical, sexual and psychological violence apply to NGOs much more often because the words “police,” “prosecutor’s office,” and “authorities” simply frighten them. They are also afraid that if they confess to what they were forced to do, they may become criminals themselves.
“Caritas was one of the first non-governmental organizations to start working in the field of combating human trafficking. People from vulnerable categories are always asking us for help. Some of them tell us that they have been exploited, while others need assistance to open up. In such cases, our social workers, often psychologists and lawyers, work with them. Sometimes we just take the beneficiary by the hand and bring them to the police. Because law enforcement is about combating and detecting, and our work is mainly about prevention and assistance. But it is very important that the victim opens up and gives evidence so that criminals are punished and others do not become their victims. The cooperation of all those working in the field of combating human trafficking is important”, said Iryna Boyko, head of the Anti-Trafficking Centre of Caritas, Kyiv.
Caritas Ukraine has seven centers that work for counter trafficking and cover almost all of Ukraine. In the last 12 months alone, Caritas employees screened 128 victims, 12 of whom are children. Of these, 55% are IDPs and 14% are people with disabilities. The most vulnerable group is internally displaced persons, especially those who are undocumented and cannot access state benefits or assistance programs, which increases their vulnerability to human trafficking. “Only together with law enforcement bodies, state social services and civil society sector we’ll be able not only screen survivors, but also assist them and that is very important to prosecute the criminals. United we may combat human trafficking!” says Natalia Holynska, Caritas Ukraine Counter Trafficking Manager and RENATE Member.