More than 700 priests and pastors are now involved in
counter-trafficking prevention techniques in Moldova thanks to
efforts by IOM and its partners to engage religious leaders in the
battle against the crime.

As part of this programme, which is carried out under the
auspices of the Inter-Denominational Coalition for the Prevention
of Trafficking in Human Beings, clergymen and employees of social
organizations are trained to use advocacy techniques to better
fight human trafficking.

A guide entitled "Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings
through Clerical and Didactic Activities" has also been developed
by IOM, which serves as a teaching tool for members of the clergy
in their prevention activities with young people, who remain
most-at-risk to human trafficking.

Trainings focusing on preventing human trafficking within
communities and on encouraging a tolerant attitude towards victims
among lay and religious communities have been organized throughout
the country. Eighteen prevention projects involving the broad
distribution of information materials such as DVDs and flyers have
been carried out in high-risk communities.

Moldova remains a major source country for the trafficking of
women, children and men for sexual and labour exploitation.

In 2007, 273 victims were assisted by the Chisinau
Rehabilitation Centre with requests for assistance being received
on an almost daily basis.

The Inter Denominational Coalition for the Prevention of
Trafficking in Human Beings includes the Moldovan Orthodox Churches
from both Patriarchs, the Union of Christian Evangelical Baptist
Churches and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of
Moldova.

This programme is funded by the US State Department's Bureau for
Population, Refugees and Migration as part of the President's
initiative to combat trafficking in persons.

For further information, please contact:

Rodica Okani

IOM Moldova

Tel: +373 22 23 29 40 (ext.131)

E-mail: "mailto:rokani@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">rokani@iom.int