Ending Trafficking Begins with us. Das Ende des Menschenhandels beginnt mit uns. Terminarea traficului incepe cu noi.Dhënia fund e Trafikimit Fillon me NE. Az emberkereskedelem vége velünk kezdődik! It-tmiem tat-traffikar uman jibda minna stess. Ukončenie obchodovania začína od nás. Крајот на Трговијата започнува со нас. Terminar com o tráfico começa por nós. Fine tratta comincia da Noi. Oprirea traficului de persoane începe cu noi. Położenie kresu handlowi ludźmi zaczyna się od nas. Het einde van mensenhandel begint bij ons. Mettre fin à la Traite : à nous d’abord de nous y mettre. Konec trgovanja z nami. Припинення торгівлі людьми починається з нас. Kova prieš prekybą žmonėmis prasideda nuo mūsų. Acabar con el tráfico humano empieza con NOSOTROS. At gøre ende på menneskehandel begynder hos os. Cilēku tirdzniecības beigas sākas ar mums. KONEC OBCHODOVÁNÍ S LIDMI ZAČÍNÁ NÁMI! KRAJ TRGOVANJA POČINJE S NAMA! PRESTANAK TRGOVANJA LJUDIMA ZAPOČINJE S NAMA! Краят на трафика на хора, започва с нас
Dear participants of the EU Civil Society Platform against THB, Following from the meeting of the Platform of 30-31 May 2017, please find attached the power point presentations as follows:
“Navigating EU Funding”session. Please be informed that national programmes under shared management (AMIF, ISF-Police and ISF-Borders) are available on the national website of the Responsible Authority.
A personal message from the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. ‘’Thank you for your active participation and contributions to the biannual meetings. Your work is crucial in assisting, protecting and supporting victims of trafficking, in contributing shaping local, regional, national and EU policies; and your diversity brings a crucial value added to our joint efforts. During the meeting last week, in workshops and networking breaks, several of you shared experiences and ideas, mentioned reports, made references to upcoming and foreseen events. We wish to encourage you once more to consider all these examples as input to be shared with all participants to the e-Platform. It is important to ensure we make full use of this instrument to give continuity to discussions, both making and input and receiving information, and that we involve those additional NGOs that are not included in the meetings. Best regards and looking forward to hearing from you,’’ Office of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
Ms. Julie Okah-Donli, new Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) The new Director General of the Nigerian National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) called for intelligence-sharing between Nigeria and European countries to combat the threat of trafficking in human beings. Ms. Julie Okah-Donli made the call when she received the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Jirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, who led a team during a visit to Abuja on April 24, 2017. Ms. Okah-Donli explained that, in order to combat trafficking in human beings, gathering information was a fundamental requirement. “Sustained cooperation, capacity building, monitoring and information sharing must be some of the basic ingredients to tackle the threat of human trafficking that is currently a global concern. I am also concerned about the difficulties of migrants related to Europe and Nigeria, especially on the issues of illegal migrants,” said Okah-Donli. Members of RENATE working with migrants in Europe welcome this statement from NAPTIP in the belief that collaboration and cooperation are essential in the fight against trafficking and exploitation. For more: Http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/human-trafficking-naptip-dg-urges-intelligence-sharing/
To mark the 2nd anniversary of Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home, you might like to listen to A Prayer for our Earth, composed by his Holiness Pope Francis, has been put to music and is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJz0ZuxxMI0 The Vatican specially commissioned a video to convey the sentiments expressed in the poem and is available at https://youtu.be/1tYdOIqvpqg A prayer for our earth All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. A Christian prayer in union with creation Father, we praise you with all your creatures. They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love. Praise be to you! Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made. You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory. Praise be to you! Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father’s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you! Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is. God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen. (24 May 2015 at St. Peter’s, on the Solemnity of Pentecost).
Research is currently under way in Europe, with the purpose of arriving at a definition of ‘sexual exploitation’ in order that we understand its broader application beyond human trafficking. Initiated in January 2017, Project DESIrE (Demand for Sexual Exploitation in Europe) is a two- year research-based study, which explores current definitions of the term ‘sexual exploitation’ and its application, (pp. 5-7). The research then proposes wider definitions of the term, as it applies to not only human trafficking, but also to prostitution, sex-slavery, sex-work/survival sex. A suggested definition of ‘sexual exploitation’ will be tested throughout the research, which emphasises a collaborative approach to addressing the phenomenon and possible solutions. A number of initial recommendations include ‘’To further develop a holistic approach to prevention of sexual exploitation by avoiding the use of an individualistic model of responsibility, that puts the whole responsibility of the existence of sexual exploitation on the shoulders of consumers and facilitators by introducing a collective responsibility model where all societal stakeholders, governments included, are responsible for reducing the underlying system of injustice and inequality that fuels sexual exploitation’’ (p.9). Full research proposal at http://www.project-desire.eu/ Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
Please Disturb shows the signs of human trafficking through the eyes of hotel staff at a hotel in the Netherlands. In the film through personal witness, hotel staff help increase awareness throughout the hotel hospitality sector and encourage colleagues in other hotels to take action. To view the film: https://vimeo.com/74665493 Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
The Talitha Kum Training Manual for Women Religious Active in the Prevention of Human Trafficking and Assisting its Victims (2016) offers a broad understanding of human trafficking, encompassing the geopolitical considerations which contribute to the increase of human trafficking worldwide through to theoretical frameworks for prevention and victim protection. Trafficking in Women and Children- an Information and anti-trafficking workshop Toolkit, (2003) is divided into 8 colour coded sections, which carefully take the reader through various stages towards an understanding of the nature of trafficking, its causes and the magnitude of the problem. The kit includes beautiful and poignant Theological Reflections which underpin the entire publication. The kit includes a selected bibliography and a list of useful websites, whilst also referring to some networks of Religious Congregations and groups working against human trafficking at the time of its publication in 2003. Both resources are available in Italian, English, Spanish and French, with the anti-trafficking Toolkit also translated into Portuguese. For these and additional resources, please log on to: http://www.talithakum.info/resources/training Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
Members of the Lithuania presidential social campaign ‘’For a Safer Lithuania,’’ together with representatives from the U S Embassy in Lithuania and the Lithuanian police forces, joined the staff of the Missing Persons’ Families Support centre on 25 May in Vilnius, to remember all those who are listed as ‘’Missing’’ in Lithuania. 50 primary school children gathered around the commemorative statue ‘’Mummy,’’ and released balloons to signify hope for the future and the possibilities of a safer Lithuania as they grow up. More photographs of the event at https://www.facebook.com/pg/www.missing.lt/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1782887905058094
In the event’s press release, Natalja Kurčinskaja, Director of the Missing Persons’ Families Support Centre, spoke about the issues and harsh realities for families whose children and loved ones are missing. The centre has now begun implementing a national training programme about Missing Children, to child welfare commissions (members of local municipalities, police, prosecutor’s offices, child protection departments, probation offices etc.) throughout all the Lithuanian municipalities (60). In 2017, there is a specific emphasis on the dissemination of information about the European 116 000 Hotline, which is receiving extensive coverage. The centre recently featured on national TV, in discussions about the issues of missing children in Lithuania and the European Union. Interview in Lithuanian language: http://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/1013669410/labas_rytas_lietuva#wowza playstart=0&wowzaplayduration=2606000
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
According to Europol, the volume of child sexual abuse imagery being shared online is increasing worldwide & so to identify victims and to catch perpetrators, police around the world must adopt new methods and approaches. On June 1st, police in Europol posted onto its website, 20 cropped images of everyday objects from the backgrounds of child sex-abuse images. The images included everyday items from shampoo bottles and shopping bags to distinctive clothing of perpetrators and victims & even buildings. They say that even tiny observations about the origin of an item can lead to an abuser being caught. Europol admits that such an approach does carry risks, like tipping off an abuser who might be under investigation and the methods being deployed, but the agency says that it is balancing that risk against the threat of ongoing abuse of children as depicted in the photographs, which it wants to bring to a swift end. This can be seen as a last opportunity measure to finally catch the criminals involved in their investigations. Anyone who recognises anything about the photographs, are urged to contact Europol. They can do so anonymously via the agencies website or they can do so via social media. Full information at: www.europol.europa.eu/stopchildabuse Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
From L. to R. Sr. Patricia Erber, Sr. Andrea Bezáková, and Sr. Anna Mayrhofer.
‘’From my personal experience – and I think I am speaking on behalf of many of my fellow Religious- our commitment has a great deal to do with ‘looking’ and not looking away, perceiving, being concerned, questioning and identifying.’’ Thus said SOLWODI Austria Leader and RENATE member Sr. Patricia Erber on the 23rd May 2017. Sr. Patricia, together with Sr. Anna Mayrhofer, SOLWODI Austria Leader and Sr. Andrea Bezakova, RENATE member, gave a press conference in Innsbruck, to speak about the SOLWODI shelter and counselling centre for women affected by trafficking in human beings, forced prostitution, exploitation and violence (#GerechtigkeitGeht). Many women leave their home countries because of extreme poverty, emergency circumstances, false promises and the hope of a better life. The helplessness of these same women often leaves them vulnerable to financial dependency, exploitation at work, physical and psychological violence. Often, they become engaged in exploitative relationships or are forced into prostitution, which deprives them of their rights and their dignity. Patricia Erber knows the reality all too well, saying ‘’Austria is both a transit and a destination country. Thousands of women, especially foreigners, are brought to Austria to work in prostitution and are often victims of human trafficking. The identification of the victims is difficult but even more difficult, is the criminal prosecution of the perpetrators.’’ SOLWODI Austria is a joint initiative of six women’s organisations in Austria and is largely financed by women’s organisations in Austria and supported by individual private donors. ‘’We initiate a small start-up capital for the establishment in Innsbruck but we still need financial support in the long term and also trust the solidarity of the people in the Tyroll,’’ the Chairman appealed. Protection and Counselling Centre. The shelter can accommodate five women at a time and is available to women who have been exploited and left helpless, or have experienced violence, or forced into exploitative working conditions or prostitution or are victims of human trafficking. Sr. Mayrhofer responds to the challenge; ‘’The centre can provide concrete support to women. The networking opportunities and cooperation with each other as women and migrants is valuable, as is the opportunity to network with other counselling institutions, public authorities and relief organisations. Women-even those with children- who are acutely threatened or are victims of violence and exploitation, can be admitted to a shelter, where they can find rest and assistance in order to cope with every-day life and be restored once again. The address of the advisory office in Maximilianstrasse 8, Innsbruck, is no secret. A small counselling centre was set up for initial contacts and also for aftercare of the former residents of the shelter. The offer is anonymous and free of charge.’’
This topic requires a lot of sensitivity, Andrea Bezakova, cj, says. Andrea is responsible for the concrete work of counselling and guidance on the ground, in Innsbruck. ‘’Because of my personal conversations, I can safely say there is little known about the life-circumstances of prostitutes, women forced into prostitution and victims of human trafficking. Awareness-raising is ongoing.’’ Andrea is happy about the good cooperation they enjoy with the authorities and the state of Tyrol: “Good networking and cooperation is a matter of great concern to us, and we have received concrete support from Christine Baur, the Tyrolean order community and employees of Caritas and the Diocese of Innsbruck First. Discussions have also taken place with representatives of the police and authorities. They have all been very positive and supportive.’’ Andrea shared the specific counselling and guidance of the women includes ‘’consultation or accompaniment with medical, legal, social and psychological problems and support from the authorities. Legal counsel mediation, help in clarifying legal residency status or assistance to withdraw from prostitution are certainly of priority. The provision of literacy and German language courses, as well as assistance with housing and employment, are of great interest to us. Last but not least, we are about offering support in returning to the country of origin, if this is possible.” The sisters are not only waiting for people to come to them. ‘’In the future, we are also planning to start with outreach social work. Regular visits to the places of prostitution allow women to gain knowledge of counselling and support services, and to build confidence among the social workers.” Bezáková is not shy in inviting offers of help! “Whoever wants to support us voluntarily and is able to cope with the situation, is welcome. We are also grateful for and welcome every material and ideal support.” Original at http://www.ordensgemeinschaften.at/3351-drei-ordensfrauen-eroeffnen-in-innsbruck-eine-schutzwohnung-und-beratung https://www.meinbezirk.at/innsbruck/lokales/neues-schutzhaus-fuer-zwangsprostituierte-in-innsbruck-d2134455.html Translated and adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
L’OIM et l’UE aident les victimes de traite grâce à une nouvelle France – Avec le soutien de l’Union européenne (UE), l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations a (OIM) lancé une plateforme en ligne comprenant un outil de renvoi transnational conçu pour renforcer la réponse des professionnels aux besoins des victimes de traite. L’outil, un modèle … Lire la suite Plateforme en ligne pour aider les victimes de traite
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