Human trafficking; a vicious modern-day slavery

Human trafficking is growing at a terrifying speed. According to the United states State Department data, an estimated 600,000 to 820,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year. Experts believe the number is even higher.

Approximately 80% are women and girls, and up to half of the victims are minors. The majority of transnational victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. 

Poor, often naive and badly informed girls are easy targets for vicious criminals - making substantial profits in return for the victims’ freedom and dignity.

The classic example of a woman trafficked for sexual purposes is that they have put their trust in a man pretending to be their boyfriend or agent.

Lured by a better life abroad as a model, nanny or waitress, they instead end up in a brothel -not uncommonly serving up to 30 customers a day.

The fact that the victims can be sold again and again make this trade the ideal market in the most unimaginable cruel way. 

By threatening to harm, or even kill, the women's loved ones at home they often keep their hellish fait to themselves.

Due to already established strong networks and the never-ended need met by huge profits, this modern-day slavery has proved extremely difficult to stop.


Miramed makes a difference

Miramed Institution
One of the organisations that consistently and patiently strive to fight human trafficking is in Moscow. It was founded in 1999 as the first non-government organisation in Russia.

Miramed reaches out to these women through:

Pprevention

• information campaigns
• Training
• Media campaigns

Rescue projects

• International toll-free hotline
• assistance centres

 
Protection

• Regional safe houses
• Law enforcement trainings
• Research and publication of best practices on victim rehabilitation

A succesful model

The model of Miramed has proven successful, but they need attention and support from the outside world to spread their mission to other parts of Russia.

With support, their model could be applied to other countries around the world.

Human trafficking concerns all of us; victims and trade connected to trafficking can be found everywhere, including the modern western world, which often provides the commercial base for this profitable industry.

Only by making people aware of the facts, are we taking the first steps to stop this evil trend.