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Human Trafficking Prevention and Assistance to Victims in Ukraine
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Forced by the need to survive and support their families, many Ukrainians seek opportunities abroad and find themselves trapped into frightful exploitation schemes. Since 1991, at least 100,000 Ukrainians have been trafficked abroad (more than from any other Eastern European country).
Women and men, adults and children are trafficked from, to and within Ukraine. Deprived of their rights and freedom, they are exploited by criminals in sex business and forced labor, used for beggary and illegal organ transplantation.
Aiming at the ultimate eradication of human trafficking, the IOM Counter-Trafficking Programme in Ukraine strives to advance the efforts of the Ukrainian society to provide for comprehensive awareness raising and prevention of the trafficking phenomenon, as well as to ensure appropriate protection and reintegration assistance to victims of trafficking.
BENEFICIARIES
- Women, men and children at risk for human trafficking
- Women, men and children identified as victims of trafficking
PREVENTION
Human trafficking prevention measures carried out by the IOM Mission in Ukraine include:
- national and local information and awareness-raising campaigns
- outreach to remote locales through a network of partner NGOs
- incorporation of counter-trafficking curriculum into school and university education
- engagement of religious leaders and faith-based organizations
- counter-trafficking trainings for mass media
To print 100,000 copies of counter-trafficking leaflets costs 2,500 USD
Counter-Trafficking Hotline
The IOM Mission in Ukraine supports a counter-trafficking toll-free hotline which:
- provides credible migration information to Ukrainians going abroad
- assists in understanding visa application requirements, contract terms and workers' rights abroad
- advises foreign citizens residing in Ukraine or transiting through its territory
- informs about the dangers that Ukrainian migrants face abroad and consequences of irregular entry and stay in foreign countries
- identifies victims of trafficking and subsequently refers them to assistance services
On average, the hotline receives 1,500 calls per month. Over 120 callers have been identified as victims of trafficking in the past year.
One day of hotline operation (incl. staff and training) costs 260 USD
ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING
Since early 2000, the IOM Mission in Ukraine has provided direct assistance to 5,000 victims of trafficking. The youngest victim assisted by IOM was three years old and the oldest - over seventy. Click here to read victims' stories.
The assistance package includes:
- medical services
- psychological assistance
- legal counsel, representation of victims in courts
- financial help
- employment counseling and vocational training
- grants for education
- family rehabilitation programs
- other services as needed
The average cost of an assistance package for one person is 2,000 USD
IOM Kyiv Medical Rehabilitation Centre
Victims of trafficking suffer from many health disorders, often requiring long-term and repeated medical and psychological treatment. Understanding this, the IOM Mission in Ukraine founded a Medical Rehabilitation Centre for victims of trafficking in Kyiv in 2003. The Centre is a unique medical facility where beneficiaries can receive comprehensive medical assistance while staying at the same place, on the basis of informed consent, full safety and confidentiality. All services are provided free of charge and in line with the international standards of medical care and assistance to victims of trafficking..
To date, the Rehabilitation Centre has assisted over 1,250 individuals.
A one week stay at the Medical Rehabilitation Centre costs 240 USD
Micro-Enterprise Development Programme
Successful and sustainable employment of former victims of trafficking is one of the main indicators of the effectiveness of reintegration programs.
The IOM Mission in Ukraine offers victims of trafficking an opportunity to complete business development courses, elaborate business plans, and apply for grants to open their own small businesses. Since 2004, a total of 168 victims have received business training, and as a result, 83 new businesses were opened by 98 victims of trafficking in 10 regions of Ukraine.
Five day business skills training for one person costs 480 USD
An average micro-grant to start up a business is about 2,500 USD
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