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EUROPEAN WOMEN'S LOBBY - EWL

May 2008

Experts Call for Strengthening Cooperation in Assistance to Victims of Trafficking

The Nordic Baltic network, gathering experts on trafficking from both governments and NGOs, met in Tallinn, Estonia on 15-16 May 2008. Some of the main achievements of the Nordic Baltic pilot project, aiming to improve assistance and support to women victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, were assessed and highlighted during the network meeting. This three-year pilot project is unique in many ways: it is regional, involving all eight Nordic and Baltic countries; and it builds on strengthened cooperation between NGOs, police, judiciary, and public authorities. It is also the only regional project of this scale to focus on assistance to women victims of trafficking.

The Tallinn meeting highlighted some of the key results of the project, including greater awareness in the region on sex trafficking, better cooperation at national and regional levels between NGOs and different government agencies, and the concrete improvement of assistance and services to women victims of trafficking in the participating countries. Experts also shared their good practice, as guides on assistance to victims of trafficking (Lithuanian and Norwegian models) and on compensation to victims.

Later this year the pilot phase of this project is coming to an end. However, the Nordic Baltic network planned for the future during the Tallinn meeting, stressing the need to secure funding for the continuation of the project and the network. Among the priorities identified for the future were the continuation of network meetings and coordination, training seminars on specialised topics, and the need for continued funding for shelters and assistance work women victims of trafficking in the Baltic countries. The network members also called for intensified work against the demand for women in the sex industry.

For more information, please contact the Project Director, Malin Björk - bjork@womenlobby.org ; http://www.nordicbaltic-assistwomen.net:80/

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