Prevention of trafficking in human beings

Preventive activities are one of the main areas of the comprehensive treatment of trafficking in human beings; they include various forms of awareness-raising for the general public and the risk groups of potential victims of trafficking. In addition, preventive activities raise awareness among consumers and users of services that are provided by the victims of trafficking in human beings, with the goal of reducing the demand for services provided by the victims of labour exploitation or forced labour. The last of the four sets of preventive activities is the training of experts, especially public employees who deal with the issue of trafficking in human beings in their work.

18 October – EU Anti-Trafficking Day

On the occasion of the European Anti-Trafficking Day, the MNZ SPCTHB, in cooperation with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (hereinafter: ICMPD) and the Network of National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators of South-Eastern Europe (hereinafter: NATC SEE), carried out an online campaign between 18 and 21 October to raise awareness about the vulnerability to trafficking in human beings of persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. Representatives of NATC SEE also adopted a joint statement outlining key recommendations to prevent the phenomenon. On 17 October 2022, the Ministry of the Interior published a press release on its website and social media profiles, which was also shared on the websites of other institutions participating in the IWG THB.

Raising awareness of the general public

On the occasion of the World Anti-Trafficking Day, the Ministry of the Interior published a press release on its website and social networks, warning about the use and abuse of digital technologies for criminal purposes,

On the occasion of the European and World Anti-Trafficking Day, Slovenian Caritas published a press release on its website, Facebook profile and at the Slovenian Bishops' Conference Press Office, which was also picked up by various media.

Awareness raising among risk groups

Raising the awareness of adolescents

In accordance with the Action Plan for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021–2022, in November 2021, the MNZ SPCTHB continued the systematical implementation of workshops to raise awareness among children and adolescents about the dangers of trafficking in human beings, its manifestations, appropriate action and self-protective behaviour. In accordance with the three-year work plan, divided by region, the workshops in primary schools in the Podravje, Pomurje, Savinja Valley and Koroška regions and in secondary schools in the Notranjska, South-Eastern, Posavje and Obalno-Kraška regions were implemented in the 2021/2022 school year. In the school year 2022/2023, awareness-raising is being carried out in primary schools in Gorenjska, Goriška, Zasavje and the Central Slovenia region, and in secondary schools in the Podravje, Pomurje, Savinja and Koroška regions.

In 2022, 116 workshops were implemented, 87 in primary schools and 29 in secondary schools, attended by 2129 pupils and 120 teaching staff. The analysis of the questionnaires completed after the workshop by the pupils shows that the awareness-raising objective was achieved, as almost all pupils gained new information from the workshop (98%) that would enable the majority of them to identify the phenomenon (69%).

Within the contract on co-financing the project Care for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings – Crisis Accommodation in 2022, Caritas Slovenia conducted 35 live prevention workshops, which were attended by 1021 pupils, students, teachers and parents. In addition, Caritas Slovenia published 15,000 copies of a preventive material on the pitfalls of trafficking in human beings. The material was sent to all primary and secondary schools and various institutions (educational institutions, centres for blind and visually impaired youth, deaf and hard of hearing youth, boarding schools, etc.) and other institutions (the Police, social work centres, health care centres, safe houses and maternity homes).

The Association Ključ carried out the workshops Ključna šola for boys and girls and Telesnica to raise awareness among adolescents (pupils and students) in the municipalities of Ljubljana, Koper, Novo mesto, Ravne na Koroškem, Celje and Nova Gorica. It held 159 events in total, which were attended by 2134 people. It also delivered 19 lectures to students at the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Work, the Faculty of Philosophy (study course of psychology), the Faculty of Security Sciences and the Faculty of Education. 434 students attended the lectures.

Preventive action in terms of awareness-raising and the prevention of trafficking in human beings in the Roma community

The Government Office for National Minorities (hereinafter: ONM) continued to strengthen its multidisciplinary approach to address harmful practices in the Roma community, such as the running away of minors to harmful environments (early marriage) and forced marriages.

In 2022, five training sessions and consultations were held with practitioners in regions or settings where this problem can be detected. The first, broader consultation took place on 21 March 2022 in Dolenjske Toplice. It was aimed at the managers of all those institutions involved in the detection of these cases and the procedures to be followed when or if a report is made. Subsequent training sessions were held in smaller groups and were aimed at the professionals of individual institutions in their local areas. Awareness-raising activities for the Roma community will follow in 2023, hence the low number of representatives and/or members of the Roma community at these events.

Raising awareness among and training of the professional community

In 2022, the National Working Group on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings provided for regular trainings of professionals dealing with the issue of trafficking in human beings (law enforcement authorities) and awareness-raising among experts who may encounter this phenomenon in their work (social and educational staff, etc.).

The Criminal Police Directorate at the General Police Directorate (hereinafter: GPU UKP) constantly educates and trains both criminal investigators and police officers at the local level. Within this education and training, attention is dedicated to recognising various forms of human trafficking, indicators to detect potential victims and offenders, and the understanding of special further procedures when dealing with victims and implementing investigations in pre-trial proceedings.

From 12 to 14 September 2022, training of criminal investigators from the Regional Criminal Police Sectors (hereinafter: SKP PU) dealing with the investigation of trafficking in human beings took place. The training was attended by 60 criminal investigators from all regional SKP PU and GPU UKP, as well as prosecutors from the Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office, staff of the MNZ SPCTHB and representatives of the Association Ključ and Caritas Slovenia, who presented the role of NGOs in the process of providing assistance and protection to victims of trafficking. A total of 90 people attended the training.

The GPU UKP, in cooperation with the MNZ SPCTHB and the Ključ Association, conducted four training sessions for police officers in the field of combatting trafficking in human beings in September 2022 (16, 27 and 29 September 2022). The purpose of the training was to raise awareness of police officers regarding the issue of trafficking in human beings, to identify indicators of trafficking in human beings and to familiarise them with the procedures when identifying victims. The training also introduced the police officers to the importance of cooperation between the police and civil society in the implementation of procedures with victims of trafficking in human beings and assistance and protection programmes. The training was attended by 85 police officers from all Police Directorates.

In addition, GPU UKP, in cooperation with the Association Ključ, conducted four training sessions for police officers, criminal investigators and assistant chiefs of police stations. The trainings took place on 10, 18 and 25 November and 2 December 2022 and were attended by 113 police officers and criminal investigators from all police administrations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as: MZZ) conducts regular forms of training of employees posted to diplomatic missions and consulates and regularly provides them with information on the potential dangers of trafficking in human beings. On 30 May 2022, a lecture for eight consular officers was organised by the MNZ SPCTHB.

On 27 October 2022, within the framework of the programme for the implementation of the public powers of the Social Chamber of Slovenia for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2021, financed by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (hereinafter: MDDSZ), the Social Chamber of Slovenia held a seminar for professionals and expert assistants of Social Work Centres focused on the work with victims of trafficking in human beings. The first part of the seminar was dedicated to refreshing knowledge on the issue of trafficking in human beings and the system of assistance for victims of trafficking in human beings in the Republic of Slovenia and to presenting the project Pogum (Courage). The project, which is implemented by the Association Ključ with the financial support of the MDDSZ, is aimed at all women, men and children who had to leave Ukraine because of the war and are potential targets of organised criminal groups due to their vulnerability. The project aims to alert them to the susceptibility of potentially exploitative relationships, to build more lasting trusting relationships between members of the groups, to facilitate the processing of the trauma experienced and to help them to overcome the loss of loved ones. The second part of the seminar focused on the specificities of labour exploitation and forced labour. The seminar was attended by 52 participants.

On 21 November 2022, the Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of the Interior held an expert consultation on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings: Detection, Prevention and Protection of Victims. The consultation was aimed at legal representatives of unaccompanied minors, representatives of social work centres and crisis centres, as well as officials of the MNZ and the Police, and focused on vulnerable groups. The event was attended by 67 people.

On 6 May 2022, a training for IRSD inspectors took place in Kranjska Gora, during which the MNZ SPCTHB presented the Guidelines for labour inspectors – identification of victims of trafficking in human beings. The training was attended by 103 IRSD employees.

The employees of the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants (hereinafter: UOIM) regularly attend various trainings on trafficking in human beings. In the reporting year, they attended the expert conference Combating trafficking in human beings: Detection, Prevention and Protection of Victims, the final conference of the project Unheard Cries of Lost/Stolen Children and other events related to trafficking in human beings.

On 20 October 2022, MNZ SPCTHB delivered a keynote lecture on trafficking in human beings in Slovenia and worldwide to six senior Ministry of Defence officials. In line with the objectives of the new Action Plan for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings for the period 2023–2024, such training will be systematically provided in the future to all members of the Slovenian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence personnel deployed on a peacekeeping operation or mission abroad.

In addition, 120 teaching staff were made aware of the subject by the MNZ SPCTHB in the framework of the preventive activities under point 2.2.1.

In 2022, the Association Ključ conducted 28 training sessions for the professional public, attended by 801 people.