Ukrainian Students Learned About Human Trafficking Traps and Safe Migration Rules from IOM's Quest
Kyiv, 18 October — On the European Anti-Trafficking Day, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) organized a quest on safe migration and employment. In Kyiv, the event took place at the Mystetskyi Arsenal, supported by the Ministry of Social Policy, the National Social Service, the National Police of Ukraine and the Family and Children's Service of the Kyiv City State Administration and funded by the U.S. Department of State. The All-Ukrainian Coalition of NGOs for Countering Human Trafficking held similar events in Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherkasy, Kropyvnytskyi, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Myrhorod.
In the first six months of 2024, IOM Ukraine identified and assisted 186 victims of trafficking, of whom 21 per cent were internally displaced persons. During the same period, the IOM-supported National Toll-Free Hotline for Countering Human Trafficking and Migrant Advice 527 provided 133,000 consultations in response to 29,000 calls, 55 per cent from displaced persons. During the phone consultations, 44 victims of human trafficking, exploitation and violence were preliminarily identified and referred for further assistance.
IOM developed the educational quest based on its experience in countering human trafficking. In Kyiv, 150 students, organized into teams of 10, went through various stations throughout the day. At each station, they were able to gain new knowledge and develop skills that will make them more aware of human trafficking and help avoid risky situations in real life.
“Our goal was to give participants real emotions and help them understand that such situations can happen to them personally,” said Alessia Schiavon, IOM Ukraine's Chief of Mission. “The problem of human trafficking is real and youth, people looking for work, displaced persons and the wider population in times of war need practical skills to prevent risky situations.”
According to the IOM study, every second Ukrainian (52%) is at risk of being exploited as they are ready to accept at least one risky offer abroad or in Ukraine.
