IOM and the El Salvador government are
opening the first shelter for victims of trafficking in the Central
American region.

The new shelter, established jointly between
IOM and El Salvador with funding from the US State
Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and
management support from the Huellas Foundation, will provide
psychosocial, medical and legal support, as well as temporary
shelter to some 20 women at a time.

At the same time, IOM and the El Salvadoran
government will kick off an information campaign against
trafficking and smuggling in the country. The campaign's message is
aimed at alerting potential migrants of the risks of irregular
migration.

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) based on
testimonies from former victims of trafficking will be aired on
main TV channels. Posters, flyers and photo stories will also be
used to warn potential victims of the dangers of irregular
migration and trafficking.

Agueda Marín, head of the counter
trafficking unit in the IOM Regional Office in San José
explained: "It's vital that we get the word out to as many people
as possible. Trafficking and smuggling networks will go to any
lengths to capture their victims. They have no regard for human
life. They promise jobs and money to unsuspecting and needy women
and then sell them to bar and brothel owners."

Berta, a young Salvadorian woman, was pushed
by her family at the age of 13 to live with an older man who abused
her. To escape from that life, she accepted a job offer in
Guatemala that landed her in a bar where she was subjected to
sexual exploitation. At the age of 17 she was rescued during a
police raid.

Today Berta recalls the first words she heard
when she realized she had become a victim. "They sold you to us, so
you must do as we say."

Unfortunately Berta's story is not unique.
Thousands of women in Central America are trafficked every year
inside the country, within the region and to destinations such as
the United States, Europe and Japan. IOM hopes that this pilot
project will lead to the opening of other shelters elsewhere in
Central America.

For further information, please contact:

Águeda Marin

IOM San José

Tel: +503 22 64 65 90

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