During the course of 11 months, the Society has recorded 148 cases when people have turned for advice – 75 cases of marriage of convenience, 13 cases of forced labour, 1 case of sexual exploitation. Provision / receipt of information has been recorded 59 times. From January to November state-funded social rehabilitation services have been received by 30 victims of human trafficking already (last year`s figure for the whole year). 17 victims have suffered for marriage of convenience, 7 from forced labour, 6 – from sexual exploitation. In 2011 state-funded rehabilitation services were received by 11 persons, in 2010 - 9, in 2009 - 10, in 2008 - 7, and in 2007 by 2 persons.
"It is very important to continue the preventive work. This is one of the main tasks in preventing human trafficking. We have finished project "Sold Freedom 2" supported by "Philip Morris International" including a month-long anti human-trafficking campaign "Be Informed - prevent human trafficking"*. It is important that this work does not stop and the baton of ensuring preventive activities is passed on by involving new participants," says Sandra Zalcmane, head of the society "Shelter "Safe House"".
As of this July „Shelter “Safe House”” Action Support Programme to Reduce Human Trafficking in Latvia”** is being implemented. Various activities for reducing the problem of human trafficking are implemented in the framework of this programme. Members and employees of "Shelter "Safe House"", volunteers and other non-governmental organizations are involved in the project as the target group.
One of the project`s activities is the first 24/7 helpline in Latvia (+371) 28612120 for prevention of human trafficking. The helpline was created in the framework of preventive campaign "Be informed - prevent human trafficking". By calling this line, people can get information on necessary actions in a particular situation related to human trafficking cases, as well as get advice from professionals. From August to November people have used this service 55 times. During 11 months Society`s advice via phone has been asked for 78 times, electronically - 51 times and in person 19 times. Most often people have inquired about the divorce of marriage of convenience, possible assistance, reported about the potential risks of human trafficking, cases of forced labour and recruitment. Statistics show that people were the most active to ask for consultations during the preventive campaign.
To ensure high-quality service, in September the phone operators received in-depth training, during which the knowledge was gained and developed both by Society`s employees and volunteers taking part in ensuring the implementation of activities. During the project, society`s specialists and managing workers had an opportunity of visiting monthly supervisions and receiving consultative support on the issues related to the professional activity. There have been two seminars on quality involvement in decision-making and policy-making processes and development of public image of the organization.
To spread the knowledge accumulated by the Society, the good practice in prevention of human trafficking, "Shelter "Safe House"" has become a member of "Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation" (LAPAS).
*Within the framework of preventive campaign "Be Informed - preventive human trafficking", from September 18 to October 18, Society`s Informational trailer and specialists visited 9 Latvian cities and municipalities - Riga, Liepaja, Eleja, Gulbene, Viesite, Daugavpils, Dagda, Ludza and Salacgriva, travelling more than 3000 km in total. More than 1000 of Latvian residents got acquainted with the information presented in the trailer, and 75 employees of local municipalities were trained in the seminars. During the monthly activities, journalist training was organized on reflection of human trafficking related topics in the media. In addition, 30 young people and leaders of organizations from 6 European countries - Latvia, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Portugal and Romania were educated on human trafficking related topics in the framework of the project "Choose Your Freedom 2". During the campaign people checked the information on human trafficking published in Society`s website and social networks about 15 000 times. The project was financially backed up by such socially responsible businesses as "Philip Morris International", which has been supporting anti human-trafficking activities for the fourth year, "TransferGo", "EuroAWK", Riga City Council and the Society Integration Foundation.
** „Shelter “Safe House”” Action Support Programme to Reduce Human Trafficking in Latvia” has been implemented since July 5, 2013 and it will continue until December 31, 2015, by using the grant (46 666 EUR) assigned by Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway via EEA financial mechanism and Society`s co-financing.
The project is financed by Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway.
The programme NGO Fund ir financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism and Latvian government.
Find out more about the EEA Financial Mechanism programme NGO Fund here
Website of the Society Integration Foundation: http://www.sif.lv
Website of the EEA Financial Mechanism in Latvia: http://www.eeagrants.lv
Official website of the EEA Financial Mechanism: http://www.eeagrants.org
Responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the society “Shelter “Safe House””.
For more information:
Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Public Relations Consultant and Practitioner
rasa.salina@gmail.com
