New trends in human trafficking

Specialists of International Center “La Strada” have noticed a slight decrease of human trafficking in Moldova, but warn about the latent specific of the phenomenon and about new ways of recruiting and exploiting by the trafficking networks. Recently, cases of children exploitation have been registered in Chisinau and Balti. Nicolae Misail, “La Strada” press officer, told Info-Prim Neo the most usual victims of trafficking are women aged between 18 and 25 years, although the number of trafficked men increased. Besides, more and more mentally retarded persons are being exploited. The methods of recruiting victims have changed. Previously, the traffickers used cars, now they prefer planes. Most of the captured women have been deluded with false work contracts. Afterward, they are forced to prostitute. “Sometimes, the traffickers hide their crimes through paying the victims, who often don't realize they are being exploited sexually or through various other works”, Nicolae Misail said. “We are reserved when speaking about the decrease of the phenomenon, as many destination countries are yet to take the necessary measures to identify victims and provide them with the assistance they need. We're satisfied with the steps Turkey or Cyprus have taken, but we're unhappy with the policy promoted by the United Arab Emirates, where victims of trafficking are treated like prostitutes and risk being jailed. In Russia, authorities prefer to fine the trafficker than to help the victims”, he added. The most popular destination countries are Russia (sexual exploiting and construction), Ukraine (agriculture), Turkey, Cyprus and United Arab Emirates (sexual exploitation). According to Prosecutor General's Office data, in the first semester of 2010, 246 trafficking crimes have been registered. 91 of the victims were adults, 5 kids, 6 attempts to illegally send the children abroad (usually to meet with their parents, who had illegally immigrated), 77 pander cases and 67 illegal immigration crimes. The number of disappeared persons since 2005 has been varying between 290 in 2007, 142 in 2008 and 281 in 2009.