As part of its counter-trafficking work in
Tanzania, IOM has organized training for social workers and others
involved in assisting victims of trafficking that will help them
address the psychological consequences of the crime.

The training, which ends this week for
representatives from non-governmental organizations and the
Ministry of Social Welfare, will focus on the psychosocial effects
of human trafficking, psychosocial assistance and the management of
shelters for victims of trafficking. It will complement IOM’s
multi-pronged approach and US funded work to counter human
trafficking through prevention, protection and victim
assistance.

Victims of human trafficking can suffer from a
loss of memory, feel suicidal, show aggressive behaviour and an
unwillingness to interact with other people as well as feel a sense
of hopelessness and fear as a result of the psychological abuse
suffered at the hands of traffickers. They can also suffer
psychosomatic reactions from the trauma of trafficking such as lack
of sleep, palpitations and sickness.

IOM has provided financial support for the
establishment of a shelter for victims of human trafficking and has
partnered with a Tanzanian NGO, KIWOEDE, to provide additional
assistance. In the last 10 months, 45 victims of trafficking, most
of them Tanzanian girls trafficked for domestic work and commercial
sexual exploitation, have been given various forms of assistance
including shelter, family reunification when possible, medical and
psychological care, formal and informal schooling and vocational
training.

Trafficking in Tanzania is mainly that of
young girls for domestic labour and prostitution and boys to work
in agricultural farms, mines and in fishing activities. Adults are
also trafficked internally for work such as in the hotel industry.
However, Tanzania is also a source, transit and destination country
for human trafficking with Tanzanian men, women and children
trafficked to other countries in the region and Europe, while Asian
women are trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation.

For further information, please contact:

Heather Komenda, IOM Tanzania

Tel + 254 204444174

Email: "mailto:hkomenda@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">hkomenda@iom.int