Where Does My Money Go: Prevent Trafficking of Refugees
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in the forced displacement of millions of people. It is estimated that more than 90% of these refugees are women and children, who are particularly vulnerable to traffickers. Refugees have a heightened risk of human trafficking due to compounding vulnerabilities such as economic desperation, decreased access to social services and safe shelter, language barriers, and so much more.
Preventing Cross-Border Trafficking in Eastern European Source Countries
Over 1.5 million people have been forced to cross the Ukrainian border into Romania in search of asylum since the start of the war. Romania is the source country for 44% of all sex-trafficking-related prosecutions in Europe, increasing refugees’ vulnerability to trafficking, and according to Europol, less than 50% of victims receive any assistance from the government.
The Dressember Network aids the local Romanian government in protecting children, women, and men across Europe who are vulnerable to trafficking, and provides training on standard prevention and combative practices to a robust network of collaborators. Dressember is supporting the expansion of our partner's cross-border protection to other "source" nations like Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland while continuing to work hand-in-hand with “destination” countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Dressember's partners are committed to protecting refugees from preying traffickers at the Romanian-Ukrainian border by raising trafficking awareness, educating on available services, building individual safety plans, and providing mid and long-term assistance along their journeys. Dressember is also helping to establish a European Anti-Trafficking Center for Excellence in Romania, which will offer cross-border protection by supporting, training, and working alongside the local justice systems to intervene in trafficking situations and help survivors get aftercare and justice.
Protecting Refugees from Labor Trafficking in Supply Chains
There are reports of thousands of jobs being offered exclusively to displaced people fleeing Ukraine by unregulated recruitment agencies and a vast network of online jobs across social media. Few safeguards against exploitative labor practices exist for increasingly vulnerable and desperate people trying to escape the ongoing conflict. There is a significant global lens on the risk to people, especially women, of being trafficked as they leave Ukraine. However, there is less attention on the role businesses play in this risk, and this is where Dressember’s U.K. partner can offer their expertise on the prevention of exploitation in supply chains.
Dressember is resourcing the first project in the anti-trafficking, business, and human rights space that focuses on mitigating the risks to workers fleeing conflict. Our partner in the U.K. is creating advisory guidelines for businesses to help them proactively prevent labor trafficking of refugees from Ukraine in their supply chain, rather than reacting to this critical issue once it’s too late. Creating concrete guidelines around responsible business practice is essential in preventing exploitation from occurring within supply chains and supporting the employment of those displaced.
The need to protect vulnerable refugees and displaced people from Ukraine is urgent and ongoing. When you support Dressember, you help prevent trafficking of refugees in Eastern Europe displaced by the war in Ukraine and ensure that they will not be exploited in U.K. supply chains as they seek dignified work and financial stability while rebuilding their lives.
The Dressember Network is made up of 19 organizations that support programs in the following impact areas: advocacy, prevention, intervention, and survivor empowerment. The Dressember Network partners with the International Justice Mission to work with the local Romanian government to provide training to a robust network of collaborators who are unified around a shared set of best practices to prevent and combat human trafficking while caring for survivors. The Dressember Network partners with Anti-Slavery International to help businesses in the U.K. proactively prevent labor exploitation and trafficking of refugees from Ukraine into the workplace. When you support Dressember, you help dismantle trafficking holistically and in a way that prioritizes survivor needs and voices. Ready to join us? Register to become an advocate or make a donation today.
About the Author
Sarah Koller is a long-time advocate for the dignity of all people, from fair trade practices to body autonomy to fighting against human trafficking. She is currently a copywriter intern for Dressember while she pursues her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado. Sarah is a mom, wife, and writer who loves to hike, practice yoga, dance in the kitchen, and share extended meals around the dining table. You can find her at @sarahmariekoller on Instagram or email her at sarah@healthyandwhole.us.