Description
Cyprus is a destination country of Trafficking in Persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation. As the House of Representatives recently passed legislation to combat trafficking, there is an urgency to inform and mobilize public agencies and community organisations to that effect. The EMBRACING project is a direct service and policy advocacy action for women trafficked for sexual exploitation. It was developed out of the need to improve and sustain NGO and Government institutional response to the violation of the human rights of victims trafficked for sexual exploitation. The project aims to enhance the capacity of professionals and volunteers of the Women’s Socialist Movement and STIGMA who are providing assistance and support services to victims of trafficking become more competent and efficient in their work. In addition, the project will elaborate and recommend policy proposals on priority issues regarding prevention and reduction of trafficking in Cyprus through workshops and conferences with key stakeholders. Finally, to raise public and institutional awareness on sex trafficking in Cyprus, including the most affected immigrant communities.
Summary of project results
Dissemination action included the drafting of the communication strategy, the development of project logo, the printing of project brochure, the posters as well as a banner and a stand. The project brochure was distributed to the target audience that included members and volunteers of contracting organisation and partners, public agency officials, NGOs as well as other interested parties who participated in project’s events. The project poster, stand and banner were used during the events organized by the project. A conference was organized on October 8 to present the findings of the research titled “an awareness campaign to combat trafficking for sexual exploitation – Awareness building – Educate-Embrace” An end-of the project conference was organized on June 24 to present project results and the policy recommendations Both conferences gained wide media coverage thought television, newspaper articles and the web media. A research study was carried out through the review of electronic and hard copy international and Cypriot bibliography, coupled with a field research with key stakeholders to delineate the legal, institutional and common practices applied to combat trafficking of women for sexual exploitation. A research report was delivered. A Training Needs Analysis survey was undertaken to assess the level of competence and skills of service providers (professionals and volunteers) who are providing support services and advocacy to victims of trafficking. A TNA report was compiled. Based on the finding from the TNA survey and the Research Report the training modules were developed, and the educational material finalized. The project team organized two-four day training sessions, A training guide was issued. The project team organised 4 workshops in Lemesos, Larnaka, Nicosia and Paphos, inviting practitioners in the anti-trafficking campaign to discuss the main issues of sex trafficking of Women in Cyprus, identify areas of priority and develop policy recommendations in introducing specific measures to enable the new anti-tracking law curtail the phenomenon of trafficking. A policy recommendation paper was issued.
Summary of bilateral results