IOM's Regional Office in San José this week is holding a
workshop titled "Guide for Providing Psychosocial Assistance to
Victims of Trafficking" for government officials and civil society
organizations that provide direct assistance to victims.

IOM studies have confirmed that Costa Rica is a country of
origin, transit and destination, for human trafficking with adult
women being most affected and at risk of being trafficked inside
the country and abroad.

Women, as well as minors, are trafficked inside Costa Rica to
feed the ever-growing demand for sexual exploitation, which
includes sex tourism.

Information provided by Central American Council of Women
Ministries (COMMCA) also confirms that women victims of trafficking
are brought into Costa Rica from Colombia, the Dominican Republic,
Nicaragua and Peru for sexual exploitation, forced labor, such as
in the maquilas (assembly plants), and for domestic work.

This week's two-day event follows a meeting held last December
when female ministers, members of the COMMCA, IOM counter
trafficking experts, and the Central American Network of NGOs
discussed ways to combat violence against women.

At the December meeting, the ministers agreed to include human
trafficking as a priority item in their respective agendas, but
some local officials have told IOM that it is difficult to provide
adequate support to the victims because they feel they do not have
the proper tools and training.

Agueda Marin, head of IOM's Regional Counter Trafficking Unit
confirms: "Sometimes officials are fearful of not providing the
right assistance, and in fact of doing more harm than good. This
week we will be training these individuals who are on the
frontlines of assistance so they can provide the correct assistance
to those in need."

The participants will receive training in a successful first
contact; proper interviewing techniques; starting the reintegration
and healing process; coordination and elements for a dignified and
safe return; and post-return follow-up.

The workshop is part of an ongoing project created to develop
technical capacities to prevent the trafficking of women in Costa
Rica and to provide assistance, carried out by IOM, the National
Institute of Women, and the Costa Rican Chapter of the Feminist
Network Fighting Violence Against Women, and financed by the Swiss
Embassy.

For more information, please contact:

Agueda Marin

Tel: + 506 221 53 48 ext 119

Mobile: +506 386 24 06

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