In an attempt to strengthen the capacity of the Colombian media
covering human trafficking issues, IOM is beginning a series of
workshops for journalists from around the country.

The training, in six major cities, will include more than 200
national and regional media representing the written press, radio,
television and internet media, as well as students of social
communication and journalism.

IOM is providing the participants with information on the
current dynamics of human trafficking in Colombia, as well as its
concepts, regulatory framework, modalities, statistics and routes,
and the actions that are being taken to prevent and fight this
crime.

Part of the workshop will focus on analyzing current media
coverage of the topic. According to data collected by IOM,
Colombian media has largely reported on trafficking for sexual
exploitation with a lot of confusion over concepts of human
trafficking versus migrant smuggling.

IOM seeks to create awareness amongst the media of other
modalities linked to human trafficking, such as the exploitation of
those forced into begging or other forms of labour as well as
raising awareness among the media of the importance of correct
terminology when reporting on human trafficking.

This cycle of training is part of the activities of the
Integrated Programme to Combat Human Trafficking that IOM is
carrying out in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and
Justice, with funding from the European Union.

Although there are no precise figures on the number of victims
of human trafficking, Colombia is a country of origin, transit and
destination for human trafficking.  The main destination
countries for Colombian victims are Ecuador, Panama, Singapore,
Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico, and although most victims are
women lured by traffickers and forced into sexual exploitation, IOM
has assisted males and minors who were trafficked for forced labor
and other criminal purposes.

As part of IOM's work to combat human trafficking, it carried
out two mass information campaigns in 2003 and 2006, and is
preparing to launch a third campaign which will focus on the cities
of origin of the victims.

Another objective of this training for journalists is to make
them aware of the existence of the National Toll Free Number (01
8000 52 20 20) which has received almost 55,000 calls since its
inception in 2003.

IOM and the Ministry of the Interior and Justice are also
preparing a series of training programmes for officials in the
public sector and NGOs.

For more information, please contact:

Jorge Andres Gallo

IOM Colombia

Tel: (571) 5946410 Ext. 142

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