Focus on human trafficking
From October 14 to 21, 2015, an anti-trafficking week will take place in Switzerland. This topic is also highly topical in Switzerland, as women and men are also forced into prostitution or exploited as laborers in this country. At panel discussions, film screenings, exhibitions and other events, attention will be drawn to serious violations of human rights.
Human trafficking is a phenomenon that takes place in secret. Human traffickers exploit the poverty and lack of prospects of their victims. In doing so, they do not shy away from violence, threats, coercion and deception in order to exploit the victims sexually, exploit their labor or remove their bodily organs.
Any person who becomes a victim of human trafficking in Switzerland is entitled to immediate assistance. However, trafficked persons do not always identify themselves as victims and identification work is difficult. As a result, not all victims receive the specialized assistance to which they are entitled, and perpetrators are often not held accountable. Numerous government and civil society actors are involved in the fight against human trafficking. With Anti-Trafficking Week, they want to promote social dialogue on this issue.
During the week surrounding October 18 - European Anti-Trafficking Day - exhibitions, panel discussions, film screenings, conferences and other events will take place. For example, short films on the topic of "Transit, Trafficking and Human Security" will be shown in Geneva, and in St. Gallen, government councilor Fredy Fässler and former government councilor Kathrin Hilber will discuss important protective measures in the erotic trade. The complete program is available at www.18oktober.ch retrievable.
Press release fedpol
