Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Recognizing the urgent need to combat this global crisis, the United Nations established the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30th. This day serves to raise awareness about human trafficking, promote and protect the rights of trafficking victims, and encourage the international community to take concerted action against this crime. For this occasion, we interviewed Hedwig Bvumburah project manager from the Cross Culture International Foundation Malta, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness and combating human trafficking.
1. First, can you explain what we mean by trafficking in persons? How is it different from smuggling?
Trafficking in persons, also known as human trafficking, involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons by means of threat, use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or giving/receiving payments to achieve consent of a person for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can include forced labor, sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude, or organ removal.
Smuggling, on the other hand, involves the illegal transportation of a person across a border with their consent. The primary difference is that smuggling is a crime against a country’s borders, whereas trafficking is a crime against a person’s rights and freedom. Smuggling ends when the border is crossed; trafficking involves ongoing exploitation.
2. Who are the victims of trafficking, and how does this work?
Victims of trafficking can be men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds. However, traffickers often target individuals who are vulnerable due to factors such as poverty, lack of education, lack of employment opportunities, and political instability. Victims can be trafficked for various purposes including forced labor, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and organ removal. Traffickers use methods such as deceit, coercion, threats, and physical violence to control their victims.
3. What are the consequences of trafficking on the victims?
The consequences of trafficking on victims are severe and varied. They include physical and psychological trauma, chronic health problems, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted infections. Victims may suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Social consequences include stigmatization, isolation, and loss of trust in others. Economically, victims often end up in debt bondage, with little to no financial resources.
4. Trafficking has a terrible impact on victims; how to combat it?
Combating trafficking requires various approaches:
- Prevention: Raising awareness about trafficking, improving economic opportunities, and strengthening laws and policies.
- Protection: Providing support services for victims, such as healthcare, legal aid, and safe housing.
- Prosecution: Strengthening the judicial system to ensure traffickers are prosecuted and punished.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with international organizations, governments, NGOs, and the private sector to combat trafficking effectively.
5. What are the most common signs of trafficking? How can we recognise that something is
wrong?
Common signs of trafficking include:
- Individuals who seem anxious, fearful, or submissive.
- People living at their workplace or with their employer.
- Signs of physical abuse, malnutrition, or poor living conditions.
- Lack of personal identification documents.
- Restricted freedom of movement or communication.
- Inconsistent stories or inability to speak for themselves.
- Show signs that their movements are being monitored or controlled.
- Be in a position of dependence.
- Have no access to their payment.
- Scripted answers to (casual) questions.
Recognizing these signs requires vigilance and awareness. It’s important to report suspicious activities to the authorities or organisations specialising in trafficking.
6. Can you explain the work of your organisation?
Cross Culture International Foundation (CCIF Malta) was establishes in 2012 to prevent and eliminate human trafficking. Our main area Areas of Work are :
- Raising Awareness:
Public Campaigns: CCIF Malta conducts public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the realities and dangers of human trafficking.
Workshops and Seminars: we regularly organize educational workshops and seminars to inform and sensitize the public, including vulnerable groups, about trafficking signs and prevention methods. - Rescuing and Restoring Lives:
Victim Rescue: we work in coordination with law enforcement and other agencies to rescue victims of human trafficking.
Rehabilitation Programs: we provide comprehensive rehabilitation programs for survivors, including medical care, psychological counselling, and legal assistance. - Direct Service Coordination:
Support Services: we coordinate a range of direct support services for victims, including shelter, healthcare, legal aid, and vocational training.
Hotline Assistance: we operate hotlines for victims and the public to report trafficking incidents and seek help. - Capacity Building:
Training Programs: we offer training programs for law enforcement, social workers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to enhance their capacity to identify and respond to trafficking cases.
Resource Development: we disseminate educational materials and resources to support anti-trafficking efforts. - Collaboration with Key Stakeholders:
Partnerships: We partner with local and international organizations, government agencies, and community groups to strengthen the fight against human trafficking.
Policy Advocacy: Engages in advocacy efforts to influence policy changes and improve legislative frameworks related to trafficking in persons.
6. How do you support victims of trafficking?
Supporting victims requires a holistic approach that addresses their physical, psychological, legal, and social needs to help them rebuild their lives. Supporting victims of trafficking involves:
- Providing Immediate Assistance: Medical care, psychological counseling, and safe housing.
- Legal Support: Assistance with legal proceedings to bring traffickers to justice and help victims gain legal status.
- Long-term Support: Education and vocational training to help victims reintegrate into society.
- Advocacy: Raising awareness about trafficking and advocating for stronger protection and support systems for victims.
7. Do you have any stories of former victims that you can share?
We had a girl from America who was on a student exchange programme volunteer with our organisation. This young woman was a survivor of sex trafficking, a harrowing experience that unfolded in her neighborhood. She was drugged and exploited for shooting pornographic films.
Her ordeal began while she was working in a movie theatre during high school in Greensboro, North Carolina. She met a 40-year-old man who was a projectionist at the theatre. They began an intimate relationship, which led to her being kicked out of her home for bad behaviour. Consequently, she moved in with him. After a few months of living together, he asked her to be part of his “art project”, promising that she would be his number one model. Initially, the pictures were innocent, but they gradually became more sexual. She was eventually forced into doing unthinkable things. The man used drugs, and there were times she woke up not knowing what had happened to her, often finding herself naked on the kitchen floor. He deceived her into believing she had been sleepwalking, while in reality, he had been drugging her and sexually exploiting her for pornographic films. Her chains were invisible and long-lasting. It was eye-opening for us to realise that people can be trafficked and exploited for the porn industry, something we had never imagined.