Support for victims of trafficking and prostitution in Lithuania: current realities

Dovile RukaiteWomen’s Issues Information centre, Lithuania dovile@lygus.lt

European Women’s Lobby

U.S. Department of State report 2008

Lithuania showed significant progress in its trafficking prevention efforts recognized in U.S. Department of State report.

Lithuania stays in the 1 group of the countries of the world list.

Current realities Since 2002 the Government of

the Republic of Lithuania works to prevent and control trafficking in human beings through the programme for the policy of prevention and control for trafficking in human beings (2005 – 2008).

In March 2007, the government appointed a high ranking official at the Ministry of Interior to coordinate government-wide anti-trafficking activities.

It is shameful to buy a woman

Current realities

The numbers of trafficked persons seems stabilized The age of female victims of trafficking is decreasing 70% of victims are dependent from drugs or alcohol Over 15 women NGOs dealing with issues of trafficking

Identification of victim of trafficking and application of created THE MODEL OF ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN LITHUANIA to practice

Coordinating Center - on the discussion

“Assistance to and Protection of the Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings, their Safe Return to their Countries of Origin and Rehabilitation ”

Project is aimed at developing a system of assistance to the victims of trafficking by helping them safely return to their countries of origin and reintegrate into the society.

THE MODEL OF ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

IN LITHUANIA

Dalia PuidokieneJurgita PeciurieneDaiva Juneviciene

Klaipeda Social and Psychological Services CenterWomen’s Issues Information Center

Ministry of Social Security and Labour of Lithuania

Aim of the Model

This model and the Manual are primarily aimed for service providers and other stakeholders to use in their work with women victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

DEFINITION OF VHT

Definition of the EC actions against trafficking in humans and UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons is used.

On the grounds of the practise of Lithuanian NGOs - women engaged in prostitution also include:

Strip dancers Women who are paid for escorting and consummation Women who work in the sex industry on streets, in apartments,

harbour territories, ships and other places Women who are exploited for sexual services through sex-

lines, porno sites, in massage saloons, etc. Women involved in sex tourism, sex via the phone and internet Women involved in pornography

Principles of Support

Holistic and professional attitude towards the women Individual approach to each case Respect of a person’s choice Priority to person’s benefit rather than organizations Confidentiality No judgement attitude Transparent information on situation evaluation and

planed support Honesty and awareness of limitations (individual,

personal, legal) Evaluation of the concrete situation