IOM and the Polish Ministry of Interior this week hosted a European
Expert Conference to review research findings and draft a plan of
action to update and complement counter-trafficking measures
targeting the demand side of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The meeting in Warsaw was the first IOM seminar in Europe to
address an issue which has traditionally focused its research on
the supply side - looking at root causes such as poverty, methods
of recruitment, criminal groups, trafficking routes and the impact
of the trafficking experience on the victims.

Although some European countries have legislated against sexual
exploitation and prostitution, the focus on the supply side of
human trafficking has up to now strongly influenced policy
development.

Counter-trafficking policies have consequently concentrated on
criminal prosecution and assistance to victims, or supporting
prevention efforts through capacity building, creation of
alternative livelihood options and awareness raising
campaigns. 

But a new, complementary focus on demand is beginning to emerge.
In 2005, IOM Prague carried out a pilot research project in two
Czech border regions, following up in 2006 with an information
campaign targeting the customers of sex workers.

In early 2006, IOM Budapest began to implement a regional
research project funded by the European Commission’s AGIS
2005 programme. It comprises separate country studies carried out
first in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, and a regional
comparative report.

The research maps out the structure of the sex sector, assessing
the profiles and attitudes of the clientele and observations of
clients, police, pimps, the women themselves and NGO workers on
trafficking and other issues.

While little concrete evidence of trafficking and forced
prostitution was observed, widespread exploitative and humiliating
practices in street prostitution in particular were evident. This
involved violent pimps, the forcing of larger number of clients on
their women and taking larger shares of the women’s
earnings.  Poor hygiene and drug abuse were frequently
reported. 

The research showed a need for more health and outreach services
for women involved in prostitution, and more rehabilitation and
alternative employment programmes.

Women from the poorest regions, such as the eastern parts of
Slovakia and Hungary, particularly from ethnic minorities like the
Roma, were found to be especially vulnerable to exploitation in the
lowest segment of the sex industry.

“This pilot research will help provide a roadmap for more
comprehensive research in the area of demand covering trafficking
for all forms of exploitation,” says Argentina Szabados,
IOM’s Regional Representative for Eastern Europe.

For more information please contact:

Heikki Mattila

IOM Budapest

Tel.. +36.14722505

E-mail: "mailto:hmattila@iom.int">hmattila@iom.int