Prevention

Prevention is the key to combating human trafficking. And the key to prevention is getting the right and most compelling information out to the young girls and women, as well as young boys and men, who are most at risk from the traffickers. No amount of information will substitute for providing good jobs and real economic opportunities to potential victims. But IOM prevention programs are based on the premise that young people must have the information they need to make truly informed choices in their struggle for a better life. The philosophy of IOM prevention programs is that they should reach directly those at greatest risk in the villages, in small towns and in the cities.

IOM Launches a New Play about Moldovan Migrants in Italy based on real life stories

Social drama written by Dumitru Crudu is based on several real life stories. "Abandoned People" is a play about the destiny of Moldovan citizens who leave their native country, the place where they were born, and where they may never come back.

"I am not against migration, but I just would like it to be legal and to contribute to professional development of those who decide to migrate… I hope that soon we will be able to go to Europe freely as tourists or required professionals in different spheres." (>> D.Crudu interview)

IOM Activities in Transnistria region
In Transnistria IOM works together with NGO Interaction in prevention and direct assistance to victims and potential victims of trafficking. The Tiraspol-based toll-free Hotline 0 800 88888 operated by the NGO Interaction was launched in February 2006. It provides information about migration and trafficking (prevention calls), and is also used to identify victims in need of direct assistance (SOS calls). After having been rescued, survivors of trafficking have access to a full range of services, including psychological and legal assistance, vocational guidance, help with job placement, and start-up grants for small businesses. Various trainings and peer-to-peer seminars are organized throughout the region to raise awareness on migration and the risks of trafficking. (Read More)

IOM Information Campaign
IOM has launched a one-year information campaign built around the movie Lilya 4-ever. The film is about a 16-year old girl much like many of the young girls in Moldova who struggle with difficult choices as they dream of a better life. The campaign is also promoting the La Strada information hotline on counter-trafficking. (Read More)

Lilya 4-ever Website
Lilya 4-ever is the centerpiece of the IOM 2003-2004 information campaign, and the Lilya 4 ever website is the place where you can read more about the film, including an interview with Swedish director Lukas Moodyson and background on the leading actors. Also post your comments on the film and trafficking in Moldova and abroad. (Read More)

IOM's Work with Vulnerable Children
Trafficking in persons is an exploitative form of irregular migration involving severe violation of human rights. The most effective way to combat trafficking is to identify and assist those at-risk to trafficking, before they fall prey to the traffickers. IOM supports prevention programmes that range from awareness raising, economic empowerment through income-generation, life-skills development, vocational training as well as a combination of all these activities, addressing the root causes of human trafficking in Moldova. These interventions target the population most at-risk according to a vulnerability profile developed on the basis of IOM's experience assisting over 2000 victims of trafficking in Moldova. Within IOM's prevention programme, the most effective interventions are those that reach out to vulnerable minors at the time they become independent from their family and/or residential institution. The number of these vulnerable minors has increased in recent years as a result of social poverty and mass migration, both having a negative impact on the protection that families usually provide. (Read more in the leaflet "IOM Contribution to Protecting Vulnerable Children in Moldova")

La Strada Hotline
It’s free, it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And the La Strada hotline (0 800 77777) is always available to answer questions about trafficking, emigrating abroad, both legally and illegally, and providing the resources that any potential victim might need for protecting herself and making the most informed decisions about her future. (Read More)