Chernihiv region authorities will promote the National Mechanism for Interaction in the Field of Combating Human Trafficking

On November 15-16, 2017, a training session “Identification, Referral and Assistance to Children Victims of Human Trafficking” was held in Chernihiv for representatives of bodies and services of the Chernihiv region dealing with these issues.

The event was held within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach to establish cooperation between all entities of the National Interaction Mechanism that implement measures to combat human trafficking, including children, at the regional level. The training was attended by representatives of the Children’s Service of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, regional and city centers of social services for family, children and youth, employees of the juvenile prevention sector and the department for combating crimes related to human trafficking of the Main Department of National Police in Chernihiv region, the Human Rights Department of the National Police, the Chernihiv Border Detachment, and the Health Department of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration.

The trainers of the event were the head of programs of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights

Natalia Kulikova

and an expert of the Western Ukrainian Center “Women’s Perspectives”

Olena Kalbus

, who has 10 years of experience in this field.

During the training, the experts familiarized the participants with the specifics of the definition of the concept of trafficking in persons, including children, in Ukrainian and international legislation, responsibility for trafficking in persons and the use of forced child labor; informed about the types of labor migration and its consequences; considered all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and illegal trafficking of children, forced or compulsory labor, including the forced or compulsory conscription of men and children for use in armed conflicts, the use of women for prostitution, the production of pornography or pornographic performances, other illegal activities, especially for the production and trafficking of drugs.

In particular, the trainers noted that since 2012, when the national legislation on granting the status of a person who has been a victim of trafficking came into force, many cases of trafficking in persons, including children, have been identified, and this figure is increasing every year. However, data from the International Organization for Migration indicate a much larger number of such persons. This fact suggests that very often victims of human trafficking do not seek help from state authorities, considering it shameful, and keep quiet about the problem and try to live with it or do not recognize this problem at all.

“In conditions of a difficult socio-economic situation, hostilities and forced internal migration, the probability of suffering from human trafficking among the Ukrainian population is increasing, especially for low-income groups, displaced persons, children who are in difficult living conditions, – noted

Natalia Kulikova

. – Today it is very important to have information, specialists and be able to identify a case related to human trafficking. That is why the work of all structures included in the National Mechanism for Interaction in both the region and the districts is important in this regard, because they know the problems in the hinterland best.”

The training was organized by the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights within the framework of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Program of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office in Ukraine, with funding from the Department of International Affairs of Canada and the generous support of the American people through a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and through the US Department of State.