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Description
The main problem regarding the phenomenon of human trafficking among Romanian citizens is the low number of cases of human trafficking reported and identified in Romania, compared to the situation estimated by international organizations. The causes of this problem are multiple: firstly, there has been no proactive identification in Romania, the current Identification and Referral Mechanism does not mention this. In the absence of a legal framework, police action depends almost exclusively on signals and reports made by citizens. Secondly, many citizens do not understand the phenomenon of trafficking and often blame or stigmatise victims. As such, they do not know how to take action, where they can report possible cases and to whom they should turn. Thirdly, a large cause of the problem is the lack of capacity of key actors in the community (police, social workers, medical staff, priests, teachers, etc.) to read the signs of potential trafficking situations.
The project aims to increase the level of awareness and knowledge among the Romanian population towards victims of human trafficking and to build capacity in identification and referral of cases for the most important actors at the community level (social workers, medical staff, police officers, magistrates, and prosecutors). The project will also focus on advocacy efforts for a new National Referral and Identification Mechanism which will include proactive identification. An Info Center will be opened for assisting victims and citizens in detecting and referring cases of human trafficking. By the end of the project will be implemented a campaign for decreasing the level of stigmatization and blaming the victims among Romanian population