facts and findings

Content

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1.1. Aims, objectives ? methodology of the study
1.2. Terminology and working definitions

2. PARTICULARITIES AND SCALE OF CHILD TRAFFICKING PHENOMENON IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

2.1. Short historical background
2.2. The scale of child trafficking phenomenon
2.3. Reasons of child trafficking phenomenon latency
2.4. Particular characteristics of domestic child trafficking
2.5. Average portrait of a child-victim of trafficking in children

3. MECHANISM OF CHILD TRAFFICKING

3.1. Recruitment
Average portrait of a recruiter
Places of recruitment
Methods of recruitment
3.2. Transportation, transfer and harbouring
Methods of border-crossing
Modes of transport used for transportation
Transfer-reception and harbouring
3.3. Exploitation
Destination countries
Forms of exploitation
Exploitation conditions
Methods of influence used in exploitation

4. MANIFESTATION OF CHILD SEX-TOURISM PHENOMENON IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Annotation

The new study conducted by «La Strada», Moldova represents an attempt to present qualitative, as well as some quantitative characteristics of the child trafficking phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova, some new trends in the evolution of the child trafficking phenomenon, and gives an analysis of its relation to the phenomenon of child sex-tourism that emerged recently in Moldova.

There were analyzed statistical data of different organizations that proved to be active participants in actions against trafficking in human beings in Moldova; 30 experts from 19 organisations have been interviewed, as well as 105 real cases of trafficking in children and 25 cases of child sex tourism identified and documented by professionals from the International Center „La Strada” have been analized during the above study.

The study Report includes information about:

• scale of the child trafficking phenomenon in Moldova ? reasons of phenomenon’ latency;
• average portrait of a child – victim of trafficking and push factors that make children vulnerable to situations of trafficking in human beings;
• existing models of trafficking in children (transnational and national);
• main elements and features of trafficking in children (methods of recruiting and transportation, types and conditions of exploitation as well as the applied by criminals methods of influence/control over the children);
• characteristics of child sex-tourism in Moldova and its correlation with phenomenon of trafficking in children.

The authors’ interpretation of statistical data and theoretical constructions are compared and put together with description of real trafficking cases being complemented by comments of experts from different organizations. The study Report finally provides conclusions and recommendations.

The study have been conducted by International Center “La Strada” Moldova in cooperation with Associazione ITACA Ong-Onlus in the course of the Project “Additional measures to fight child trafficking in Moldova” implemented from grant of the European Union within the framework of a campaign entitled “Support to actions aimed at preventing harm to children affected by armed conflicts and at fighting against child trafficking and rehabilitating victims”.

Contents

Briefly about this issue

I. EXPERTISE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Introduction

I.1. Terminology
I.2. Regulatory base for accreditation in the social sphere
I.3. Object of accreditation. Accreditation of service providers or accreditation of services? Scope of application
I.4. Bodies that carry out accreditation
I.5. Goals of accreditation. Criteria of accreditation / qualifications of an applicant
I.6. Accreditation procedure. Consequences of a refusal to accredit
I.7. Financing the accreditation procedure
I.8. The period of accreditation
I.9. Monitoring of activities of accredited organizations
I.10. Accreditation and licensing
I.11. Accreditation and standardization of the quality of service
I.12. Relation of accreditation with professional qualification and attestation / proficiency evaluation

II. ACCREDITATION AND LICENSING OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
II.1. Government regulation of NGO activity – service providers in the Republic of Bulgaria
“Animus Association” Foundation/“La Strada – Bulgaria”
II.2. Accreditation of NGOs in the Republic of Serbia
«ASTRA»- Anti trafficking Action, Republic of Serbia

AFTERWORD
Conclusions & Recommendations

Annotation

The fifth edition of the thematic publication “LA STRADA EXPRESS” is dedicated to the topic of accrediting the social services suppliers, and it develops subjects related to different aspects of creating a referral mechanism for the victims of human trafficking in order for them to receive assistance and protection. The International Center “La Strada” has been promoting this idea since 2004, raising interest afterwards, and in 2006 started its implementation as part of a pilot project. After a year, with the support of the International Center “La Strada”, International Organization for Migration, Mission Moldova, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was created the Strategy of the National Referral System for Protection and Assistance of Victims and Potential Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings. Nowadays, the system works in 16 districts and in Chisinau, Balti, waiting to be gradually extended in the entire republic. Meanwhile, the necessary legal-normative database continues to be developed, including the elaboration of Regulation on accrediting services of protection and assistance to victims and potential victims of human trafficking, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2011. Accreditation of organizations supplying services to victims of human trafficking are expected to be part of the common accrediation mechanism of the social services suppliers, which aims at the interests of all NGOs activating in this field.

The current publication is an attempt of analysing the existent practice in the field and, therewith, an exposition of the perceptions of the center’s specialists on how the referral mechanism should be. A research made before the publication, had the aim of identifying the pecularieties of accrediting mechanisms of service suppliers from various fields, including the used terminology, the subject and aims of the accreditation, accreditation criteria, the authorities that make the accreditation, procedure, the control of the activity of the accredited organization, etc. A special emphasis has been given to the relationship between accreditaion and license, standardization of works and services, estimation of the services correspondence, human resources training and professional development, attestation of staff. Namely the materials of the research lie at the bases of the current publication.

We hope that the current publication will raise the interest of partners from nongovernmental organizations and governmental structures, will serve as basis for debates, and contribute to the elaboration of state policy in the direction of accreditation, including the NGOs in the field of social services.

Table of contents

1. Brief overview of the International Conference

2. Agenda

3. Wellcome remarks

Victor Stepaniuc, Government of RM, Deputy Prime Minister of RM, the Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings
Lucia Gavrilita, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child of the Republic of Moldova

4. Reports of the national experts

4.1. Development of the Bulgarian National Referral Mechanism for support and protection of victims of human trafficking
Ms. Ivanka Georgieva, National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Republic of Bulgaria
4.2. Co-operation of governmental and non-governmental organizations of the Republic of Belarus in combating trafficking in persons
Ms. Irina Alkhovka, Public Association “Belorussian association of young Christian Women”/“La Strada”, Republic of Belarus
4.3. Experience of the Republic of Moldova in creation and development of the National Referral Mechanism for trafficked persons for provision of assistance and protection
Ms. Tatiana Fomina, International Center “La Strada”, Republic of Moldova
4.4. Expert Report on the Romanian National Referral Mechanim for victims of trafficking in human beings
Ms. Maria Cristina Tauber, independent expert, Republic of Romania
4.5. National Referral Mechanism for assistance and protection of trafficked persons. Experience of Ukraine
Ms. Natalka Ostash, independent expert, Republic of Ukraine

5. Discoures of the international experts

5.1. NRM implementation – lessons learned
Ms. Alina Brasoveanu, OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw
5.2. The protection of the rights of trafficked persons as the core of the NRM
Ms. Marieke van Doorninck, La Strada International Association, Amsterdam
5.3. Identification and self-identification of trafficked persons
Dr. Norbert Cyrus, Hamburger Institute for Social Research
5.4. Return and risks assessment for victims of trafficking
Mr. Richard Danziger, IOM Geneva
5.5. Trafficked persons and criminal justice – reconciling their potentially conflicting interests in the framework of NRM
Ms. Silke Albert, UNODC, Vienna
5.6. TRM and NRM: approaches and challenges
Ms. Elisa Trossero, ICMPD, Vienna
5.7. Experience and lessons learned in the creation of NRM in Serbia
Ms. Alexandra Vidojevic, OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

6. Working groups output

6.1. Working group 1: Protection of personal data in the framework of NRM
6.2. Working group 2: Unconditional assistance to victims and access to compensation
6.3. Working group 3: Forms of co-operation in the framework of the NRM
6.4. Working group 4: Role of the state structures and civil society in creation and functioning of the NRM

7. Conclusions and recommendation of the Conference

7.1. Conclusions and recommendations made by local experts from reporting countries
7.2. Conclusions and recommendations of the international experts
7.3. Conclusions and recommendations of the thematic working groups

7.Annexes

Annex 1: List of participants
Annex 2: Short information about experts who participated actively in preparation and organization of the conference

annotation

The title comprises materials in in Romanian, Russian and English from the International Conference that was held in Chisinau. After the completion of the conference, all the materials have been processed and included in the present Conference Report, with consideration of remarks and additions provided by the members of the Advisory Board. Take stock of the NRM implementation in five selected reporting countries (Bulgaria, Belarus, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine) by collecting and analyzing the existing practices and develop recommendations for enhancing both the NRM theoretical and practical applications, from such international organizations as: The International Center “La Strada” (The Netherlands), ICMPD (Viena), Hamburg Institute for Social Research (Germany), International Organization for Migration (Geneva), OSCE/ODIHR (Warsaw), UNODC (Vienna).
NRM by itself is a democratic institution and plays an important role in development of democracy in a certain country, facilitates the processes of building and development of law-based state. The value of the NRM concept is that NRM creation does not require some additional investments. The increase of efficiency of human rights protection of the trafficked persons and efficiency of all counter-trafficking system is reached not through creation of some new structures in the country but due to the co-operation development among involved organizations, work-related performance, use of new approaches etc.
About five years have already passed since the adoption of the OSCE Anti-Trafficking Action Plan. During this time many countries have carried out a number of measures for the NRM creation and implementation, and each has accumulated its own experience (positive and negative). Besides this, there were undertaken measures on the international level for further development of the theoretical base – the International Center for Migration Policy Development provided support for development of the Draft Guidelines for the creation of the Transnational Referral Mechanisms for the victims of trafficking in South-Eastern Europe. The generalization of the practices of the different countries will help in better perception of elements and principles of NRM, will allow identifying the new elements, approaches, and particularities of NRM progress in different countries, and will develop important recommendations for improvement of the NRM theoretical basis. All these mentioned above, were in fact the main objectives of the international forum in Chisinau.
At the conference were made a number of conclusions and recommendations that are now included in this report. We hope that these recommendations will be useful for the specialists and for all those interested in anti-trafficking activities.
The organizers of the Conference would like to thank everyone who contributed to the good development of this international conference and values their contribution to the development of the National Referral Mechanism designed for the assistance and protection of the human trafficking victims.

content

Foreword to the fourth issue

I. THE PHENOMENON OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

I.1. Domestic violence: definitions and associated notions

• Why „domestic violence”?
• The way domestic violence is treated by the national legislation?
• How the notion of „domestic violence” is defined in the international acts?

I.2. The extent of the phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova and the rest of the world

• What are the official statistical data of the phenomenon?
• What the civil society „statistics” tell us?

I.3. Domestic violence: causes and consequences
• What do victims think about domestic violence and causes underlying this phenomenon?
• Opinion shared by the specialists and experts on the causes and consequences of domestic violence
• What is public opinion about domestic violence and its causes?
• Could the poverty be the cause of domestic violence?

II. NEEDS EXPERIENCED BY THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND AVAILABLE SERVICES

II. 1. What kind of assistance is needed by the victims of domestic violence?
• Domestic violence: between stereotypes and morality
• What kind of advise victims of violence are getting from the population?
• What knowledge do victims have about available assistance services or access to such?

II. 2. Capacity to meet the needs experienced by victims

• Happy with the available crumbs
• Whom and how often the victims contact?

III. ACTIVITIES TARGETED TOWARDS PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE FOR VICTIMS

III. 1. Types of activities targeted towards prevention of domestic violence

• Information and awarness activities
• Activities targeted towards decision makers and professional groups

III. 2. Activities targeted towards granting assistance to victims of domestic violence

• Stages of assistance and minimum standards
• Types and quality of services/interventions extended to victims
• Geographical area of activities including prevention/services and assistance

IV. COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

IV. 1. Donka Petrova, master of developmental psychology (Bulgaria). Domestic violence in cuple’s life

IV. 2. Ruth Rasnic, Founder & Executive Director L.O. (Israel). Hotlines – the lifeline to women & children

IV. 3. Jennifer Gentile Long, Director, Viktoria Kristiansson, Senior Attorney, The National Center for the Prosecution of Violence Against Women at the American Prosecutors Research Institute (USA). Taking a process-oriented approach to domestic violence prosecutions

Conclusions and recommendations

annotation

The fourth topical issue paper „La Strada EXPRESS” differs from other issues as it is focused on a relatively broader topic, which is domestic violence, and especially, violence against women. The topic was not picked up by mere chance and is far from being a strange one to the authors. During more than seven years of activity performed by the International Center „La Strada” they had numerous reasons to become convinced that human trafficking is directly and proportionately linked to domestic violence. “Nume¬rous researches carried out throughout the recent years show that lack of reciprocal understanding between married couple as well as cases of emotional or physical violence serve as one of the triggering factors for taking decision to leave abroad and, rather implicitly, an The key aspects that the authors intended to elucidate in this issue refer to the notion of domestic violence, the extent of this phenomenon, causes and consequences of domestic violence, identification and analysis of needs experienced by the victims of domestic violence as well as to the services available in this social segment (i.e. what kind of assistance the victims of this phenomenon are benefiting from and what kind of prevention activities are conducted in Moldova). At the same time, the authors attempted to identify the existing gaps and lacks and prefigure, within the limits of their competencies and available information, some suggestions and recommendations.
This issue was preceded by a rapid assessment of the problem (click here), as well as public opinion survey with regard to domestic violence phenomenon conducted together with “Magenta Consulting” limited company (click here).
In general, the topics raised in the present publication are based on opinions and proposals made by many experts in this matter, representatives of NGO’s, go¬vernment structures, intergovernmental organizations active in the domain as well as by the specialists, representatives of different professional groups (social assistants, psychologists, family doctors, politicians, judges who by virtue of their service mandate encounter different cases of domestic violence). In addition, the authors gathered information on the phenomenon from direct source, namely, from the victims of domestic violence – the women themselves that have suffered in the past or suffering at the moment from violence. “Under this context we were interested to learn both – opinion of those who went through experience of human trafficking and of exclusive domestic violence victims that have benefited from specialized assistance (for example, beneficiaries of the Public Association “Refugiul Casa Marioarei”), stated by the authors.
The current issue also includes a number of articles about the experience of some overseas organizations (from Israel, Bulgaria, and USA).
The issue is meant for the specialists whose activity is bound to counteracting domestic violence and, in the first place, for the ones who by virtue of their activities come in contact with the victims of domestic violence (as well as with the aggressors) and are competent as well as responsible for taking certain measures of prevention, protection or assistance. We hope that this material will be used for elaborating certain policies, lines of activity and also for the purpose of exchange of experience by the specialists as well as by the NGO’s acting in the domain. Likewise, we believe that our publication will also serve as useful source of information for the representatives of public authorities of any level that are qualified to determine internal policy of the country and regions of eradication of phenomenon as well as for all other persons interested in the problem of prevention and combating domestic violence

annotation

The quality of (re)-integration plans influences the whole process of rendering assistance to victims, and the intensity and the duration of this process should be selected depending on victim’s needs and beneficiaries’ psycho-social profile. The procedure of evaluation of (re)-integration success plays an important role in appreciating the quality of (re)-integration plans, of conformity between time and allocated resources.
With a view of presenting and analyzing the existing (re)-integration plans, working out recommendations for the Reintegration Plan in the framework of the National Referral System, International Center „La Strada” initiated, in October 2007, the 4th Best Practice Workshop.
Being carried out with the support on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Workshop was organized in the framework of the Program for National Capacity-Building in Anti-Trafficking, launched in 2004, and was designed for social assistants, participants to the National Referral System Program, program coordinators, managers in the field of provision of assistance to trafficked persons. This edition is a compilation of reintegration Plans of organizations from the Republic of Moldova, a presentation of the working methodology of evaluation of beneficiary’s needs, of the work of a multidisciplinary team, of elements of Reintegration Plans, also encompassing a series of recommendations with regard to elaboration of a Common (Re)-Integration Plan at the state level. Authors of publications, representatives of numerous organizations (United Nations Development Program, Republic of Moldova, International Organization for Migration, Mission to Moldova, Terre des Hommes, Center for Prevention Trafficking in Women) hope that these practices and recommendations will be useful for specialists from governmental and non-governmental organizations, which participate to the National Referral System, as well as for ulterior collaboration with those for whom this publication is designed.

Contents

1. Foreword

2. Individual Protection Plan. Experience of the United Nations Development Program

3. Reintegration Plan. Experience of Terre des Hommes

4. Reintegration Plan. Experience of International Organization for Migration

5. Individual Reintegration Plan. Experience of Center for Prevention of Trafficking in Women

6. Reintegration Plan. Recommendations

content

A few words about this issue

I. OPINION OF INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS PROTECTION AND PROMOTION "LA STRADA"

I.1. Identification of Trafficked Persons - key Element in the System of Counteraction of Trafficking in Persons

- Why is important to identify trafficked people?
- How is identification of trafficked people correlated with other avenues of organization of counter-trafficking in persons?
- Who should identify trafficked persons?
- What is proactive and reactive identification of trafficked people?
- What is the role of Hot Lines in identification of trafficked persons?

I. 2. Everything Starts with Terminology

- What is identification of trafficked persons?
- What is the difference between identification of trafficked persons and classification of trafficking in persons crime?
- What is self-identification of a trafficked person?
- What is useful to know about definition of trafficking in persons for identification of trafficked persons?

I. 3. Elements of Trafficking in Persons

- What are elements of definition of trafficking in persons?
- Do elements of international definition of trafficking in persons coincide with elements, stipulated in the national legislation of the Republic of Moldova?
- What elements of trafficking in persons have not yet been fixed in the law?
- What should a possible combination of the above-named elements look like as drive the crime into the category of trafficking in persons?

I. 4. Indicators of Trafficking in Persons

- What indicators an be used to identify of trafficked person in practice?
- What indirect indicators can be used in practice to identify trafficked people?

II. OPINION OF OUR COLLEAGUES FROM MOLDOVA

Eugen Rusu, Prosecutor, Head of Department for Protection of Constitutional Rights and Interests and Suppression of Trafficking in Persons
Sergiu Purcica, Head of On-Line Information Processing Department of the Center for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons within the Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ion Vizdoaga, Director of the Center for Prevention of Trafficking in Women (NGO)

III. OPINION OF OUR FOREIGN COUNTERPARTS

Petra Burcikova, "La Strada", Czech Republic. New Challege in Identification of Trafficked Persons in the Czech Republic
Donka Petrova and Nadya Kojuharova, "Animus" Association, Bulgaria, member of La Strada International. Psychological Aspects of Identification of Trafficked Persons
Tamara Vukasovic, NGO "ASTRA", Serbia. Identification of Trafficked Persons through Hot Line

Conclusion

content

1. Introduction

3. Women Beneficiaries - Problems and Solutions

3.1. Safety, Trust, Control

3.2. Seelf-perception

3.3. Relationships

4. Children beneficiaries - problems and solutions

4.1. Self - esteem

4.2. Separation and relationships

5. Conclusions and recommendations

6. Annexes

6.1. Agenda

6.2. Empowerment tehniques and tables

6.3. Case studies and drawings

6.4. Photos

content

I. INTRODUCTION

II. VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING: WHO IS SHE?

1. Typical Profile of Trafficking Victim as a Reflection of Phenomenon of Trafficking in Persons in the Republic of Moldova
2. Age of Trafficking Victims
3. Marital Status and Family Relations
4. Place of Residence
5. Level of Education
6. Employment and Income Level
7. Awareness about Future Job

III. MECHANISM OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

1. Recruitment
2. Transportation. Routes of Trafficking in Persons
3. Destination Countries
4. Types of Exploitation
5. Means of Control of Trafficking Victims and Conditions of Exploitation

IV. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS