The Home Office, as National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Persons, announces that it is today launching an information campaign aimed at discouraging the demand for sexual services from victims of trafficking.
The main focus of the campaign is to inform the general public 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 Law on Prevention and Combating Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and Protection of Victims, 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.
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 Organisation estimates that there are at least 40 million victims of trafficking worldwide, of which 10 million are children. For every 1000 adults worldwide, 5.4 are victims of trafficking. Women and girls make up the vast majority of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Violence, including trafficking and sexual exploitation, can be prevented and change starts with the individual, who can help eliminate sexual exploitation and create change in their relationships and society.
The public can learn more about trafficking in persons, penalties under the law and ways to identify victims on the website. They can also call anonymously to the 1497 phone line to provide information in case they believe an offence is being committed or a person needs help.
You can view the campaign film here.
The project is co-funded by the European Union's Internal Security Fund and the Republic of Cyprus.
(EΦyς)
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