International organization for migration IOM International Organization for

International organization for migration IOM International Organization for Migration Human trafficking in Lithuania: Problems and Experience of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vilnius office Vilnius, 18 -10 -2013 Dr. Audra Sipavičienė Head of IOM Vilnius office 1

Traffickers are one step ahead “The trouble with human trafficking is that with all the recourses and thoughts that has been poured into the phenomenon over years, no one really understands what’s going on. Not governments, not NGOs, not the police, not think thanks… No one apart from traffickers, who change their modus operandi like wind, in order to stay one step ahead. ” Denis Nihill, IOM Indonesia UN humanitarian news service IRINNEWS

Info-sharing and Partnership is the key • • Acknowledgement of the problem/state position Legal regulations in place/ enforcement Assistance to Vo. Ts/ NGO network Expertise and professionalism (Big heart is not enough, but no heart also does not work) Adequate resources/finances Continuity, sustainability (especially during crisis) Information sharing, especially about new evidence and emerging trends and correspondent reaction (now with lag in years). Network + referral Mechanism (including consular services) • Consular officials are in the forefront, connecting origin and destination countries

Providing assistance – cooperation scheme VICTIM NGO IN DESTINATION COUNTRY IOM IN BALTIC COUNTRY BALTIC EMBASSY IN DESTINATION COUNTRY VICTIM’S FAMILY/ FRIENDS LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BALTIC COUNTRY BALTIC NGO/ GO COORDINATED ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING MEDICAL INSTITUTION IN BALTIC COUNTRY PSYCHOLOGIS T LAW ENFORCEMEN T ABROAD PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/ EMPLOYMENT AGENCY (State and Private) LEGAL/ SOCIAL CONSULTATION 4

Situation in Lithuania: numbers do not reflect problems Identified by Law Enforcement NGO Year Registered pretrial investigations Human traffickers Victims of human trafficking Assistance provided by NGO’s 2007 20 37 77 56 2008 19 33 36 86 99% women, of which 34% minors 2009 12 21 22 … … 2010 8 16 10 118 … Gender distribution 2011 21 48 33 128 3 men, 109 women, 16 minors 2012 11 29 17 152 55 men, 97 women Expert evaluation: approx. 1500 -2000 per year/ only THB for sexual exploitation Sources: LEO data/police 2007, 2008 – IOM 2010 -2012 – Ministry of Social security and Labour

Changing modus operandi (IOM Data base)

Police: “They are trafficking everyone and everything what is possible to traffic and to to exploit” Appearance of new forms of trafficking/ exploitation which are difficult to identify and prove in courts • Exploit poverty, vulnerability (economic, social, mental): prostitution, forced labour/ bonded labour, involuntary domestic servitude • Exploit beauty: web-modeling • Exploit impunity, youth delinquent behavior: criminal activities, theft by minors • Exploit sympathy: minor begging • Exploit social status: marriages of convenience, , receiving fraud social benefits abroad • Etc.

Flashlight on Consular services Cooperation increased, better, more possibilities, but… (comments, problematic areas identified by NGOs and LEO) • • • Not always able to identify trafficking victims (even when they in desperate situation and address for help) Treat Vo. Ts as criminals (many Vo. Ts do look like criminals; did at some point break the law; were forced into criminal activities, but are trying to seek assistance) Too bureaucratic, too slow and only during working hours Do not know what assistance is available both in destination and origin countries; where to refer; what tools are available Police and NGO use their own channels, bypassing consular services: information does not criss-cross, assistance less effective What could help? Established referral mechanism and cooperation

Tools available/ IOM Key IOM initiatives/ tools which should be known/ could be useful • 450+ IOM offices worldwide; many have AVR-R Programs • Global Assistance Fund/ urgent cases (since 2000, GAF provided assistance to 1546 trafficked persons; approx. . 150 -200 each year) • Direct Assistance Handbook, Handbook for Consular Officials • IRIS/ International Recruitment Integrity System **** • Feed-back from Consular services, closer cooperation

Thank you for you attention Contacts: Audra Sipavičienė International organization for migration (IOM) Head of Vilnius Office Jaksto 12, 4 th floor, Vilnius 01031 tel. : +370 52 610115 Fax: +370 52 611326 e-mail: iomvilnius@iom. lt ; www. iom. lt ; http: //123. emn. lt 10