Countering Trafficking in Human Beings, Protecting Victims and Enhancing Financial Investigations

The Project

This project, sponsored by the European Union, consists of four seminars, two of which take place in Thessaloniki and Lisbon in 2017 and two in Vienna and Trier in 2018. Each seminar focuses on a different aspect of trafficking in human beings (THB) and how to counter it, with the aim being to provide practical training for a broad spectrum of legal professionals and practitioners, law enforcement officers and member of civil society/NGOs in the field of countering THB, protecting its victims and enhancing financial investigation and raising awareness.

The Concept

Each seminar is targeted at judges, prosecutors, lawyers in private practice and law enforcement officers and members of civil society/NGOs (approx. 65 participants per seminar) from all EU Member States. Each training event lasts 1½ days.

Programme

The programme offers a mix of training methods, from lectures to interactive workshops. At the heart of the training is an analysis of demand reduction in relation to trafficking for sexual exploitation, as well as looking at how such victims can be better assisted and protected, whilst also trying to measure the material, human, and emotional costs thereof. A closer look at the financial investigation of THB and the use of the internet in relation to its financial flows and profits also forms a key part of the project series. Participants' application of relevant instruments is improved through real-time training and knowledge-sharing. Mutual trust between participants across platforms is strengthened and an understanding of each other’s work through, amongst others, a better understanding of the tools available to them at both a national and cross-border level, as well as the correct application of the relevant EU and other international standards in relation to countering THB.

Networking Opportunities

This project supports networking by giving the participants from various EU Member States the opportunity to make personal contacts with other participants and speakers, leading to an exchange of best practice and experience in the course of the offered training.