To identify means to help!

On November 28-29 and November 30 – December 1, 2017, regular trainings “Identification, referral and assistance to children who have suffered from human trafficking” were held in Chernihiv. During these days, representatives of social service centers for family, children and youth, family, youth and sports sectors, children’s services, educational and rehabilitation centers and police from most districts of Chernihiv region actively participated in the training on combating human trafficking.

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

Natalia Kulikova

and an expert of the NGO “Women’s Perspectives”

Olena Kalbus

, who has more than 20 years of experience in this field. During the training, a number of topical issues were considered, including: What is human trafficking? What is the mechanism of such a criminal business in Ukraine? How does it happen? Stages of criminal activity. Who falls into the trap of slave traders? Identification of persons affected by human trafficking. The role of state institutions in combating human trafficking, in particular, in providing reintegration assistance and strengthening cooperation at the regional level.

“In a country where there is a constantly growing economic crisis, there may be more and more victims of human trafficking,” predicted experts from the districts. “People agree to any working conditions in order to have at least some income. They work without proper documents, without contracts and without registration.”

After completing the training, representatives of state institutions change their attitude towards the problem of identifying victims of human trafficking and providing them with assistance. The results of the seminar are being processed for further work, the possibility of making suggestions and comments to take into account in subsequent work with other representatives.

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