IOM is providing comprehensive training for key partners involved
in providing assistance to victims of trafficking and other
migrants in vulnerable situations.

Staff of the National Secretariat of Migration (SENAMI by its
Spanish acronym), as well as the Child Labour Supervisors of the
Ministry of Labour and Employment, will participate in the first
phase of the sessions, taking place this week in Quito.

The sessions include general information on human trafficking
and tools to identify and provide assistance to victims, as well as
training on creating referral mechanisms.

Although the Ecuadoran government has taken important steps in
the fight against trafficking in persons (TIP) and there is
increased awareness on the issue, there is a lack of knowledge
about human trafficking and how to provide assistance to the
victims. 

IOM and its partners in the government, international
organizations and NGOs are involved in awareness-raising, training,
and capacity building with all actors including mass media, police,
politicians, members of national institutions, amongst
others.  

IOM will hold similar trainings for staff of the Ministry of
Tourism, universities, and local governments in the northern border
region.

Ecuador is a country of origin, transit and destination for
human trafficking for the purpose of sexual or labour
exploitation.  A 2020 study conducted by the International
Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that more than 5,200 young
Ecuadorians had been sexually exploited.  More recent
statistics, from a 2008 National Council for Children and
Adolescents' report, found that the Child Welfare Police (DINAPEN)
reported 81 cases of human trafficking in 2007 which included all
forms of exploitation.  Forced begging accounted for 38.3 per
cent of cases and sexual exploitation 33.4 per cent.  The
provinces of Pichincha (24.7 per cent), El Oro (18.5 per cent) and
Orellana (11.1 per cent) were identified by DINAPEN as having the
highest incidence.  Foreign victims were transported across
the border in public bus lines and vehicles owned by
traffickers.

Since 2005, IOM Quito has been working with the government in
the implementation of the government's National Plan to Combat
Human Trafficking and Other Forms of Violence; and in support of
prevention, protection and prosecution activities.

For further information please contact:

Ana María Guzmán

IOM Ecuador

Tel: +593.2.225.3948

E-mail: "mailto:aguzman@oim.int">aguzman@oim.int