#7 Human Trafficking

#7 Human Trafficking

Today we went on our first day trip to Tourda.  This town was about 30 minutes outside of Cluj.  First we went to the Salt Mine.  This was really interesting because it used to be a working mine but now most of it was turned into a tourist attraction.  I really learned that I have a fear of heights.  After the mine we went to Centrul Ratiu Pentru Democratie.  While there we learned more specifically about human trafficking which is something I had an interest in.  We met with Sarah who is working there within the Peace Corp.  There human trafficking support program is called, Footsteps.  They currently have 8 victims involved in the program.  There focus is mainly on intervention not prevention.  This I noticed was common with what we learned at the conference.  That more social services need to work on prevention.  Within the program they provide education, medical, psychological and vocational activities.  The victims are Romanian and were taken to other countries being, “promised a better life.”  They told us that the main causes that lead to a person being trafficked is poverty, lack of education, confusion and being tricked.  The Ratiu center collaborates with police and prosecutors.  Currently roughly 1,048 people are being trafficked in Romania, 400 being minors.  As for consequences in Romania it is a 15 year felony.  Only 2-3 victims are taking their traffickers to court.  They said unfortunately it is rare to press charges against the traffickers.  This is because the victim may fall in love with trafficker, live in a still dangerous community or are ashamed.  One way the victims get free is they can buy their freedom otherwise it usually happens by raids, police, family report or hot lines.  

At the Ratiu center they are currently working on making a plan to build a shelter for the victims. They are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide a short term living situation.  The goal being to decrease risk of re-victimization.  As a whole they are refocusing on survivor assistance and advocacy.  Unfortunately, there is no international collaboration for human trafficking.

This was one of my favorite social service agencies that we visited.  I think part of it was because I wanted to know the truth about human trafficking in Romania.  For example, the media/movies make it appear different.  More specifically the movie, “Taken.”  A few people joked around with me before I left saying, “Be safe, don’t make me send Liam Neeson after you.”  I’d have to admit I was a little worried about standing out as a tourist in Romania.  I am sure there is a risk that tourists may get taken but from what we learned at Ratiu most women that are taken are poor and more specifically Roma.