Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1146457
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JULY 2019 KARL AZZOPARDI THE Maltese government has launched a nationwide aware- ness campaign against human trafficking, in a bid to bring to light the realities of forced la- bour, sexual slavery and com- mercial sexual exploitation in Malta. 'Human Like You' will educate people on the different forms of human trafficking in soci- ety, with educational campaigns highlighting real-life cases, how they happen and how one can prevent them. "People think it's only illegal immigration and sex work, but there is more to human traffick- ing than we think," Parliamen- tary Secretary for Reforms Julia Farrugia said. At the forefront of the cam- paign is a newly -aunched web- site which features real stories of people who were the victims of human trafficking. Farrugia Portelli said that it is the government's obligation to create a collective consciousness among people. "The mental- ity of human trafficking being something beyond our shores is mistaken," she said. Globally around 800,000 peo- ple are victims of human traf- ficking, yet only 45,000 cases are identified every year. At least 71% of the victims are women. A representative from the Interna- tional Organisation for Migra- tion said that the latter statistic should be taken with a pinch of salt, due to the large misconcep- tion that human trafficking in- volves only sex work purposes. Julia Farrugia Portelli also said that today's smugglers had more resources and tools to work with, making the government's efforts to combat the abuse a more pressing concern. A consultation process on hu- man trafficking will be under- taken by the government, put- ting at the forefront the people's views and opinions on the issues. "When the consultation process is complete, we will go back to people with viable solutions," the parliamentary secretary said. Farrugia Portelli said the gov- ernment, through internal structuring, wants to consoli- date its efforts on the problem. While some victims of human trafficking would prefer to leave the country when their abusers are apprehended, others would wish to stay here. Farrugia Por- telli said that through the re- form, when a victim is identified as being one, work permit appli- cation fees are waved off, mak- ing the integration back into society a much easier process. "The government has allocated more resources towards the is- sue, making sure the safe-guard- ing and protection of victims is a priority," Farrugia Portelli said. Following the United States' State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report, Malta was identified as being a 'source and destination' country for traf- ficked individuals. "We have discussed the reports with the American government, and while we have raised our concerns on points which we felt were unfair against us, such reports should serve as the basis for our work towards tackling the problem," Farrugia Portelli said. The newly launched cam- paign website can be accessed on: https://trafficking.gov.mt/ en NEWS Human trafficking could be hiding in plain sight. Anyone, not just professionals, can encounter a case of human trafficking. There could be one or more signs which show that a person is being controlled by someone else. An indicator of human trafficking could be noted in the victim's physical appearance, behaviour and attitude towards other people. The following are indicators which suggest that a person could be a victim of human trafficking. Are there any signs of deceit? Victims are promised a new life which is much better than the situation at the country of origin. Once they arrive at the destination, they are made to do a different job with completely different work conditions. Migrants are forced into precarious under-paid work and prostitution. Traffickers hide behind exorbitant agency fees to retain control over their victims. Does the victim look intimidated? Victims endure lengthy periods of psychological abuse and humiliation. Their maltreatment may also involve physical and sexual abuse. They are timid, distracted and afraid of consequences, most often hesitant to look someone else in the eye. How does the victim look? Victims look extremely tired, neglected and dirty. They usually wear the same clothes which are not appropriate for the type of work they are doing or the prevailing weather conditions in the area. No safety equipment is provided to them. Victims of sex trafficking are usually provided with revealing outfits to entice customers. Is there a language barrier? Foreign victims are forbidden from speaking to anyone. Traffickers usually pose as interpreters to speak on their behalf. How old is the victim? Minor victims are made to participate in activities which are not appropriate for children. They are warned by traffickers to conceal their true age. Who is responsible of the victim's personal documents? Traffickers seize the personal documents of their victims in order to assume full control over them. The victims' passports, visas, residence permits and other identification documents are taken away from them to restrict their movement. Victims may also be given a fake identity so that they will not be easily-recognisable by the authorities. Is the victim afraid to approach the authorities? Victims are warned by their traffickers that they would be deported if the authorities learn anything about them. At the same time they threaten victims that they will be reported to the authorities if they fail to comply. Traffickers usually prey on undocumented or illegally- staying migrants who are reluctant to report abuses to the authorities. Is the victim being hindered from moving freely? Traffickers control the physical movement of victims, especially when the latter are unable to show any documentation. They are regularly accompanied by the same third-party, especially when they are in public places or visiting a public office. Victims could also be noted being transported from one place to another, individually or in groups. Where is the victim living? Victims could be living in substandard accommodation which is usually shared with a large group of workmates. They may be made to live at the workplace itself. Traffickers tend to change the place of residence of their victims frequently to avoid detection by the authorities. SPOT THE SIGNS Malta steps up anti-trafficking awareness with 'Human, Like You' campaign