Prevention and Improved Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in the Kaliningrad Oblast (PIAVKO)

Summary

The main purpose of the project is to build the capacity of NGOs and social workers dealing with trafficking in human beings in the Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian federation. The project will also establish a free telephone help line where the public can get information about migration. In addition, the project includes training for journalists, a media analysis, dissemination of information materials, empowerment groups for girls, and other activities aimed to raise awareness of human trafficking among the general public as well as targeted groups of specialists. In the project, IOM will provide support to one or more NGOs to provide direct return and reintegration assistance to up to ten victims of trafficking. A final seminar will be held to share the results of the project and identify further needs in the area of anti-trafficking.

Background and Objectives

Trafficking in human beings has been recognized as the third most lucrative crime after drug smuggling and arms trafficking. The estimates for prostitution related trafficking to and within Europe and Russia alone are around 500,000 people annually. The volume has been increasing in Europe for the last fifteen years, with Eastern European countries as the main source areas for trafficking within Europe. Their economic situation makes them especially vulnerable to the activities of organized crime; usually linked to activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.

Like everywhere in Russia, the Kaliningrad Oblast remains a source, transit and destination region for various categories of migrants. These migrant flows combined with poor economic conditions feed the phenomena of trafficking in human beings in the area. NGOs play a key role in raising awareness of trafficking among the general public and providing assistance to victims of trafficking. Only a very limited number of NGOs in the Kaliningrad Oblast has any expertise on human trafficking. No organizations are directly involved in providing assistance to victims of trafficking and/or advice and support to persons moving abroad or returning home. The fight against trafficking requires the involvement and support of civil society. State social services and NGOs must have knowledge and the capacity to provide support to potential victims of trafficking as well as victims of trafficking who have returned to their homes and are in need of reintegration assistance in order to decrease the possibilities of revictimization.

The key objectives are:

· To build the NGO capacity in dealing with trafficking in the Kaliningrad Oblast in order to provide a better service to people in need of information related to safe migration and trafficking;

· To increase the capacity of journalists so that they can provide more accurate information related to trafficking in human beings issues;

· To raise public awareness about legal and safe possibilities to travel abroad and risks related to human trafficking and smuggling;

· To pilot empowerment training sessions with three groups of vulnerable girls;

· To provide direct assistance to up to ten victims of trafficking.

Project Duration - March 1, 2008 – March 1, 2010 (2 years)

Target Groups

Primary target group: risk groups and victims (potential victims) of human trafficking.

Secondary target group: NGOs and social workers dealing with victims of trafficking.

Tertiary target group: Journalists from the KO and the general public.

Project partners:

Local NGOs, authorities, ministries, and administrative offices of the Kaliningrad Oblast and the Russian Federation will be invited to assist IOM in the successful implementation of the project.

Project is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

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