According to the Ministry of Interior, the main objective of the campaign is to raise awareness of the criminal liability to which a person who is proven to be involved in soliciting and purchasing services from victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation is subject.
On the basis of the amendment to the Prevention and Combating Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and Protection of Victims Act, the prevention and prosecution framework is strengthened.
On the one hand, the penalties for the offences of trafficking in persons, including solicitation of services from victims of trafficking in persons, are increased, while on the other hand, the offence of solicitation of services from victims of sexual exploitation is made a strict liability offence.
According to the Communication, trafficking in persons is the modern form of slavery and is a volatile and difficult to control crime, often committed in the context of transnational organised crime.
The International Labour Organization estimates that victims of trafficking amount to at least 40 million worldwide, of which 10 million are children. For every 1,000 adults worldwide, 5.4 are victims of trafficking.
Women[/B] and girls make up the vast majority of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Violence, including trafficking and sexual exploitation, is preventable and change starts with the individual, who can help to eliminate sexual exploitation and create change in their relationships and society.
According to the announcement, the public can learn more about human trafficking, penalties under the law andways to identify victims at www.toraxereis.com.
They can also call the 1497 telephone line anonymously to provide information, in case they believe the offence is being committed or a person needs help.
The project is co-financed by the European Union's Internal Security Fund and the Republic of Cyprus.
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