Switzerland  - The second Swiss Counter-Trafficking Week takes place between 14- 21 October. Over 15 organizations are contributing to 12 events all over Switzerland.

With the slogan Switzerland against Human Trafficking, the Counter-Trafficking Week aims to raise awareness among the general public to show that human trafficking exists in Switzerland and that victims are being exploited in various economic sectors.

Switzerland is a major country of destination and transit for human trafficking. In 2014 some 150 survivors were assisted by NGOs. The real number of victims being exploited is thought to be much higher.

In order to inform the general public, several awareness-raising events will take place around October 18th – European Anti-Trafficking Day. These will include movie screenings, panel discussions, plays, exhibitions and conferences. The full programme can be found at www.18oktober.ch.

IOM Bern, with funding from the Federal Office of Police, State Secretariat for Migration SEM, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Population, Migration and Environment Foundation is coordinating the programme under the guidance of a steering committee comprising federal and cantonal agencies and NGOs including Fachstelle Frauenhandel Frauenmigration, the Au Coeur des Grottes foundation and ECPAT Switzerland.

IOM Bern will organize two events during the week. They include an all-week audio-exhibition on trafficking at the Feusi school in Bern and a screening of “Anna in Switzerland” on October 21st at the Cinematte in Bern. The screening is open to the public and will be followed by a panel discussion.

For more information, please contact Sascha Nlabu at IOM Bern. Email: snlabu@iom.int - Tel. +41 31 350 82 22.