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Pillar I – Prevention Objective: Research and Standard Setting Activity (1.1) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources2 In 2007, two major research projects on trafficking issues were completed. Partnership Against Trafficking in Human Beings (PATH) • In February 2007 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Kosova Population Foundation (KOPF), in coordination with the Prime Minister’s Office for Good Governance (OGG), released a report entitled, Research Study on Trafficking in Human Beings. This research is part of the USAID supported PATH project. It describes the findings from two surveys: one of the general public (500 Kosovars) and a special focus on the most vulnerable, young girls (300 girls aged 14-18). The respondents were chosen randomly from across Kosovo and are representative of the population as a whole. In addition the report includes qualitative findings based on interviews with ten former victims of trafficking (VoTs), and 18 clients of sex workers. The research was conducted by Prism Research, with offices in Prishtina and Sarajevo, and is available on KOPF’s Website in three languages (www.kopfund.org). • Some of the findings were as follows: almost universally, survey respondents had heard the term trafficking in human beings. They also know that trafficking involves sexual exploitation in the form of prostitution. However, trafficking, or the control over another person for purposes of exploitation, was frequently confused with voluntary prostitution. A significant number of the respondents from the general public also appear to blame VoTs for their own victimization and consider them as immoral because they worked as prostitutes. This prejudice makes the reintegration of survivors to their communities very difficult. The overwhelming majority of the respondents believe that trafficking is somewhat or very widespread in Kosovo and they are concerned about the problem. • In the one-on-one interviews, the profile of the women and girl victims indicates most came from struggling poor families in Kosovo. One woman described her family's situation as: We worked our land and barely managed to survive. Half of those interviewed never finished even primary school. Some were trafficked through job advertisements others through neighbors, friends, and family. For example: So my father’s friends…offered me a job. . .[but] the very first day, the owner tied me up. . .and raped me. • According to the victims of trafficking, their clients come from different age groups, young to middle age. There were Kosovar Albanians as well as foreigners but the common denominator was that they seemed to be rich. The clients of sex workers interviewed confirmed this conclusion. • Habit Hajredini, Director of the Prime Minister’s Office for Good Governance, stated at the news conference that this research completes an important activity incorporated in the Kosovo Government’s Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. Rifat Batusha, Executive Director of KOPF, assessed the findings here as a foundation to build PATH’s branded outreach campaign. Save the Children • In May 2007, Save the Children released the findings of its 18-month regional research study that included interviews with children in Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro. It is entitled, Children speak out: Trafficking Risk and Resilience in Southeast Europe. The research employed a child-participatory approach to be used in the development of long-term projects. The research methodology was primarily qualitative with questionnaires, semi-structured and unstructured interviews with children, interviews with adults as the main providers of information on trafficking, interviews with trafficked children, and observations (watching children working in the streets). Some 110 children and 69 key informants participated. Quantitative approaches were also used. The research instruments were adapted to the context of each country. • The research sought to determine how to identify children, families and communities most at risk of trafficking, to understand trafficking mechanisms and processes. Focus areas included municipalities with the highest rates of unemployment. Some of the findings challenge current theories of who is most vulnerable to being trafficked. It shows the perceptions of children themselves but also highlights areas that need further study. For example, there are gaps in understanding how each ethnic group perceives what constitutes a child being vulnerable or strong. This means that each group/individual reacts differently to social/economic situations thereby making them more or less vulnerable according to how they adapt to situations. The level of child awareness and understanding regarding the types of family services provided by social services is also highlighted as a gap along with a lack of co-operation between actors involved in working with children and the children themselves. The report mentioned a need for children and police to communicate as the absence of any relationship between the two meant there was little trust. • The research will help design more efficient anti-trafficking responses in curriculums and projects in schools whilst helping to consider target ages and levels for these projects. • The report recommends: Earlier (2006/5) activities encompassed • In the reporting period January through June 2006, the Office on Good Governance, Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and Gender reports that the Institute for Social Policy (ISP) in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) completed a survey with girls who work and are thus potential victims of trafficking. This six-month survey targeted 14 to 18 year olds.
Activity (1.2) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources Four major public awareness campaigns were conducted in 2005 and 2006 and more are planned in 2007. The principal sponsors include the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Department of Justice, and the OGG. IOM Awareness Campaigns The campaign was sponsored by IOM and OGG with support from USAID. Campaign products included: two TV spots broadcast on RTK, posters, flyers, pocket calendars, car aromas and wristlets. • Stop! Trafficking in Human Beings The second phase of the campaign began in May 2006 and separately targeted potential VoTs and traffickers/recruiters. Its taglines included Don’t Trust Just Anyone and Stop Trafficking in Human Beings. Campaign products are still distributed and used by IOM, cooperating government agencies, and local organizations. Campaign products included the following: o Six TV spots in Albanian and three in Serbian
broadcast on RTK, the public TV outlet o Radio Malisheva produced and broadcast 12 radio
programs, each 45 minutes in length and three editions of a youth
magazine with a circulation of 10,500 were distributed in seven
municipalities. The goal of these efforts was prevention with a
focusing on the consequences of human trafficking • In the reporting period January through June 2006, the Office on Good Governance, Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and Gender reports that Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and Secretariat, with financial support of IOM, worked to develop web-page to contain information about anti-trafficking in Kosovo. Other Campaigns • Not for Sale -- UNMIK’s Department of Justices (DOJ) and the Victims Advocacy and Assistance Unit (VAAU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST), OSCE and the US Office in Kosovo launched the Not for Sale campaign in November 2005. It targeted girls and young women aged 12-17 years: seeking to raise awareness about the dangers of trafficking; and informing them of the assistance available through the 24-hour toll free hotline and the resources at the Victims’ Resource Centre. A song contest was organized as a part of the campaign and the winning song was presented at a festival involving youth from Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Prizren, Gjakova/Djakovica, Peja/Pec, Decan/Decani and Gjilan/Gnjilane. Activities at the festival included concerts, sports and games, art exhibitions, dramas, and debates. Campaign materials that advertised the hotline number included leaflets, notebooks, pencils, shirts and posters. See Also Activity 2.13. • Regional Tour for Prevention of the Phenomenon of Trafficking --The Anti-Trafficking Secretariat of the OGG coordinated the Kosovo leg of the Stop Trafficking campaign in September 2006. This campaign featured a youth bicycle tour that included different cities in the Balkans including Sofia, Bucharest, Skopje, Skhodra, and Pristina. It was organized in cooperation with groups and NGOs from the participating countries and was financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in partnership with The Door, and NGO, from Shkodra. The Kosovar Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports also participated in this event. During the evening hours, the IOM documentary Promises was shown to cyclists and other participants, raising interest and comments on its content. The same activity was employed in other Balkans countries with the participation of the Kosovar team. • In 2007, the Anti-trafficking unit of OSCE sponsored four TV debates on RTV 21 to raise awareness on the problem of trafficking and particularly internal trafficking and to educate the public and potential victims on mechanisms to report and be assisted as VoTs.
As indicated above in Activity 1.2, there have been two multi-media campaigns targeting the general population. However, no annual surveys of the general public have been conducted to measure changes in the knowledge of trafficking of this target audience. The PATH survey mentioned in Activity (1.1), addresses, in part, the knowledge of the general population but did not measure changes over time. Anti-trafficking education in schools and among high risk groups has been conducted by a variety of stakeholders including MEST, IOM, UNICEF, the Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sports (MCYS), the Union of Parent Teacher Associations (UPTAK), the Center for the Protection of Victims and the Prevention of Trafficking (PVPT) and the Women’s Wellness Center (WWC). These projects are listed below. MEST MEST with assistance from IOM’s project (Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings and Capacity Building in Kosovo and Macedonia) and UNICEF redesigned the curriculum for grades six to 11 to incorporate human trafficking within existing courses and textbooks. In addition, 150 teachers were trained in ways to integrate trafficking into the existing curricula. This included ways to identify VoTs and procedures for referring them. At the end of 2005, schools that received the training applied for an award based on how well they incorporated trafficking issues into their teaching. Approximately 100 schools have been targeted to date and it is expected reach an additional 20 schools in 2007. For younger children and for drop-outs, brochures were made available and translated into minority languages. Teachers of grade 8 are in above referenced program. Beyond that MEST reports that through the date of the monitoring, 700 officials and teachers were trained about human trafficking. Regional officials, directors and teacher were involved in the training. MEST included teachers from 6, 7,9,10 and11 in this training, to include anti-trafficking awareness program in extra curricular and via subjects Biology, Geography and Civic Education. In the last reporting year MEST had an additional 17 trainers trained on anti-trafficking, increasing the total number of trainers for trainers to 20 within MEST. • During the period 2005 –2006 has been carried out a Project by MEST in cooperation with IOM: “Prevention of trafficking with human beings in Western Balkans, through education activities and capacity building in schools”. The aim of this project was to raise the overall participation of the Ministry of Education in the region regarding their national plans and strategies in the fight against trafficking; as well as create a coordinating mechanism between officers in the field of Education in the Balkans. Under the auspices of this project, in 2006, IOM organized a regional conference in Montenegro with the objective of increasing the capacities of teachers and school administrators about trafficking and promoting regional cooperation in prevention. Participants included the Deputy Minister and other MEST officials, two Kosovar teachers who won a competition entitled The Planning and Composition of an Anti-trafficking Class, and a local NGO. This conference was part of the project entitled Prevention of Trafficking in Persons in the Balkans and was supported by the Dutch Government. • A ninth grade course on Civic Education, directly integrating anti-trafficking information, was piloted in 40 schools. An evaluation of this project found the curricula advanced student knowledge on trafficking, children’s rights, and other subjects and the project was expanded to include an additional 40 schools. Manuals for teachers were also developed and 130 teachers were trained in trafficking issues. The Ministry initiated this project with the cooperation and support of IOM and Save the Children. • MEST, in cooperation with UNICEF and IOM included an anti-trafficking module in an elective subject called Skills for Life. This course provides students with skills in critical thinking, behavior management, and how to protect yourself from being trafficked. A teacher’s book was published and a working booklet for students was developed. This course was piloted in 2005/2006 in 30 schools and after an evaluation, it is to be expanded to include 100 additional schools. • There are no exact figures available but a large number of students have become aware of trafficking issues. Similary, an estimated five percent of middle school teachers have received training in trafficking issues. Training all teachers by December 2006 was an unrealistic goal. • MEST, UPTAK, and IOM, distributed 12,500 textbooks for primary schools, 12,500 for secondary schools and 500 teachers booklets with the goal of raising awareness about trafficking. Also 9,000 issues of illustrated books were published for the primary school (including also 1000 in Serbian and 1000 in Bosnian) as well as 500 posters. Teachers are receiving counter trafficking trainings. Schools have also received copies of the IOM documentary “Premtimet” (promises) together with TVs and DVD players from IOM. Over 1,000 game boards dedicated to children who do not attend school have been distributed to NGOs working with MEST in informal education and with UPTAK. This effort was supported by the Finnish and Dutch Governments. • Joint Reaction of Parents and Teachers
for Creation of a Safe Environment in Schools • MEST with support from the British Office launched an awareness raising painting competition in 12 secondary schools. The best three paintings received monetary awards and the winning painting was featured on a bill board displayed throughout the territory. The billboards also promoted the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) Trafficking Hotline. See also activity 2.13..
• The Center for the Protection of Victims
and the Prevention of Trafficking (PVPT) completed a project in
2006 supported by the British Office, entitled, The Fight Against
Trafficking through Direct Assistance and Awareness Raising. This
project involved 15 trainings with 782 participants from pupils
in the seventh and eighth grades of elementary schools in the city
of Gjilan. The project ended with a workshop organized with pupils
selected published in a booklet. This was presented at a Round Table with the Office for Good Governance, representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Labor and Social Welfare, MEST, donors, many partners of the MVPT Center as well as selected pupils, teachers and principals. The direct beneficiaries of the project were municipal officers of education who will be part of the program and will work in capacity building. The teachers benefited from training programs, resource-based support, along with many an-trafficking methodologies. • Workshops for VoTs -- PVPT routinely conducts workshops to empower VoTs accommodated in its shelters. Subjects are related to human trafficking issues, such as the relevant legal processes, coordination between law enforcement and the judiciary, and legal support available to VoTs. • In July 2005, the MCYS organized meetings with several Kosovar youth NGOs to raise awareness about trafficking issues. • Young Ambassadors for Human Rights The MCYS and IOM implemented the Young Ambassadors project between October 2005 and February 2006. It targeted 92 students from secondary schools in Lypjan/Lipljan, Peja/Pec, Theranda/Suhareka and Vushtrri/Vucitrin. The project included information sessions on human rights and seminars on the nature and consequences of human trafficking. It was funded under one of IOM’s mini-grants to NGOs. • Save the Children has provided grants to children, primarily aged 12 to 18 years of age, and communities to create anti-trafficking activities including dramas, brochures, and social events. • School Awareness Raising Project to Prevent
Trafficking • In 2007, Save the Children initiated a peer-to-peer training project on trafficking providing out-reach activities in 20 schools. See also Activity 1.1. Activity (1.4) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • In 2005 IOM conducted a seminar to increase trafficking awareness and to encourage the use of correct terminology. Ten journalists attended this seminar. • In January and February of 2007, CRS and KOPF with assistance from the International Relations Exchange Board’s (IREX) media project, organized a four session training for 19 journalists from different locations in Kosovo and from different media (print and electronic). Representatives from the PISG such as police, prosecutors, the director of OGG, and the Ministries of Justice and Labor and Social Welfare spoke, as did spokespersons from international organizations, the professional journalist association, NGOs, and a victim of trafficking. A study commissioned by IREX found that media coverage of trafficking issues increased as did the quality and ethics of these reports following this training. • In addition, the PATH project also sponsored an awards contest for the best stories by journalists on trafficking issues broadcast on television and radio, and published in print during the first four months of 2007. A number of those trained above were winners. There were five winners; one TV, one radio, one print, one investigative, and one story with the best headline. • While there are journalists knowledgeable about trafficking issues there is no organized experts group and there is no uniform code of conduct discussing ethical issues such as protecting the identities of VoTs. • Most of the trafficking stories released in at least 2007 focused on police actions. • The UNDP will implement a media project to develop guidelines for covering prejudice and stereotypes about women and bringing trafficking and gender based violence issues to the public.
• With the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for domestic victims of trafficking an extensive series of regional trainings were conducted in 2006 and 2007 with a final session scheduled in 2007. For more information see Activity 2.2 under Pillar II. • IOM provided training for mental health institutions and care givers with a focus on what trafficking is, how they can help identify VoTs and how to refer them for the relevant assistance. It has also issued grants to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to organize and deliver training to primary and secondary health care assistants. • Approximately 60 social workers received an advance training on the SOP from IOM to identify and refer VoTs, and to know the roles and responsibilities of all parties assisting these individuals. Later IOM also provided social workers with a training on reintegrating domestic victims of trafficking back to their communities. Seven people from the MLSW were trained as trainers. • IOM is considering more trainings in 2007. Through the training of trainers, capacity building can be continued in the ministries themselves. However, not everyone can possibly be trained. Data on the numbers shelter providers, NGOs, victim advocates, police and others are being compiled and will be reported later.
Activity (1.6) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources Activity (1.7) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources MEST (Leading Agency) UNICEF, Save the Children, World Bank, NGO’s, Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, MH, MLSW, IOM. • Number of catch-up classes provided for
school drop-outs
• Data on the number of incentives and vocational courses offered is not available. • In the school year of 2005-2006, there were 74,781 high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Of these, 32,202 or 43 percent of the students were females. In 2006-2007, there were 88,691 students in grades 10, 11, 12, and 13. Of these 38,581, 43 percent were female. Population estimates for the age group of 14 to 18 year-olds indicate that the percentage of females to males is roughly equal (50/50). • All in School: Student Retention and Dropout Response – In 2005, CRS in cooperation MEST and UPTAK (Union of Parent Teacher Associations) , published the aforementioned manual, a resource based on the work of a local consultant. This tool kit was drafted to reduce school dropout rates in Kosovo. In Jan-Mar 2006, mini-grants were awarded to 20 schools (in the municipalities of Lipjan/Lipljan, Ferizaj/Urosevac, Dragash/Dragas, Prizren and Malisheva /Malisevo) to test the Kit in the field. Retention and Dropout Prevention and Response Teams were established in the 20 schools, and 42 girls re-enrolled using the methods of intervention described in the kit. MEST officially approved the resource kit and distributed it to all elementary schools in Kosovo. Furthermore, it has issued an administrative order, imposing on all the schools the duty to fill enrolment-completion-transfer forms on a regular basis. This project was supported by UNICEF. • Targeting Dropout rates in RAE communities -- In 2006, CRS in cooperation with MEST and UPTAK, with support from UNICEF, launched a project targeting school dropout rates in RAE communities. It was organized in ten elementary schools selected in at-risk communities with high dropout rates. These schools are located in seven municipalities (Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Oblilq/Obilic, Prizren, Fereizaj/Ursosevac, Lipjan/Lipljan, Gjakove/Dakovica, and Fushe Kosove/Kosovo Polje). The first stage of the project employed focus groups to better understand education issues in RAE communities. Based on the findings, an awareness campaign was conducted in 2006. In addition, SMASM (an NGO) conducted role-plays and live-performances in communities about education issues and organized debates. Incentives such as book bags and school books were provided to RAE children. As a result of the first year’s activities, 125 RAE children returned to school. The project is being continued in 2007 for a second year. • The World Bank’s Education Participation
Improvements Project (EPIP) provided a four million Euro grant to
MEST to improve children’s access to, and attainment in primary
and secondary education. This project began in 2003 and ended in
2006 and targeted schools in poverty areas, high concentrations
of minorities, where enrollment and non-attendance problems existed,
and where the gender balance reflected poor access to education
for girls. Much of the project focused on school infrastructure
such as heating plants, computers, libraries, sports fields, and
fences, However, it also funded transportation schemes to bring
rural students to schools, and purchased textbooks and even clothes
for poorer children. To select the priority schools, a central and
various municipal review boards were organized. At the municipal
level, these boards included local government officials, MEST representatives,
civil society members, and social workers from municipal CSW offices.
Some 500 schools benefited from this grant. The second phase of
this project is currently in the planning stages but will provide
a grant of an additional 600,000 USD to the ministry for school
improvement.
Activity (1.8) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • UNMIK Regulation No. 2001/27 on Essential Labour Law in Kosovo contains principals and sections protecting working children. Section Three of this law defines the minimum age of employment as 18 years of age. However, there is an exception for light labor that does not affect the health, development, or school attendance of the child. Employment under 15 years of age is strictly prohibited. • The Government’s 2006 legislative agenda included legislation on children’s rights based on international standards. However, it was withdrawn due to other government priorities. According to the Office of Legal Support Services, this draft legislation will be reentered in the Government’s Legislative agenda. Objective: Co-ordination Structure Activity (1.9) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources The UNDP’s Women’s Safety and Security Initiative (WSSI) project seeks to implement both action plans and plans to train both the municipal gender officers but co-ordination and communication at the top is problematic.
Objective: Research and Standard Setting Activity (2.1) Actors1 Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources2 • The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), for foreign and domestic victims of trafficking apply to the police, which is usually the first point of contact with victims of trafficking (VoTs). The SOPs establish the procedures for identifying and referring VoTs, and these are incorporated into the police manual. For a more complete discussion of the SOPs, see the description under Activity (2.2). • There are no official statistics on the number of identified and referred VoTs from the general police to THBS. • In 2006, 66 VoTs were identified by the THBS unit of KPS, of these 51 received assistance from the shelters and other agencies. Among those assisted, 11 were Kosovars and 28 from Moldova. • In 2005, THBS identified 49 victims and 38 were assisted. Activity (2.2) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • Two Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are currently in place and are coordinated among the members of the Direct Assistance and Support Group (DAS). The SOP for foreign victims was adopted in 2001 and the domestic version was signed in 2006. Under these agreements, the Trafficking in Human Beings Section (THBS) of the KPS, the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) Victims Advocacy and Assistance Unit (VAAU) and the Interim Security Facility (ISF), IOM, OSCE, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare’s (MLSW) Center for Social Work (CSW), and local NGOs, all agreed to define their respective roles and responsibilities and ensure overall coordination and cooperation. The SOPs ensure that a standardized procedure for identifying and referring victims is in place. THBS officers are normally the first point of contact with victims, but both victims’ advocates and social workers are part of the process. Chaired by an OSCE representative, the members of the direct assistance group regularly meet and discuss cases and trafficking trends, maintaining confidentiality. If the victim is a minor, a social worker from the CSW must be present and serves as the case manager. The ISF provides each victim of trafficking with a period of reflection and a secure accommodation, particularly in cases of high risk. When high security is not an issue, victims will be transferred to a shelter run by local NGOs. There is a shelter for foreign victims and two shelters serving children where most domestic VoTs are cared for. • Under the SOPs VoTs are provided: o Accommodation -- first a reflection period at
the ISF, and then at one of two NGO-managed shelters • The OSCE supported the drafting of the SOPs and the development of these guidelines in in-line with human rights standards such as the guidelines from that agency’s Warsaw Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The SOPs also follow OSCE’s standards as expressed in its National Referral Mechanism. According to staff from the MLSW, the guidelines for identifying child victims are taken directly from the UN’s Palermo Protocol to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons. This Protocol is the first global, legally binding instrument with an agreed definition of trafficking in persons. • Following the implementation of the domestic SOP, members of the DAS organized regional trainings for police, victims’ advocates, social workers, and local NGOs to raise their awareness on correctly applying the SOPs in their work, specifically on how to recognize and refer potential trafficking cases. The trainings included: an introduction to the SOP, interviewing a VOT, and referring that individual for appropriate services. Some 160 participants attended one of five trainings in 2006 and 2007. There will be one last training to be held in 2007. • OSCE’s Anti-Trafficking Unit also
sponsored a training for 30 social workers from 30 different centres
of social work with the Institute for Social Policy of the MLS W.
This training focused on selecting anti-trafficking focal points
and to build the capacities of these individuals to respond to trafficking
cases. Topics included the SOPs, Kosovo’s government policies,
international human rights standards, international trafficking
policies, as well as practical obstacles faced by social workers
in assisting and reintegrating victims into society. There were
three rounds two-day trainings staring in February of 2007. In April of 2007, the first regional seminar to
support the development of the TRM was organized in Sofia. The results
of the assessment stage were discussed and draft TRM guidelines
on identification, crisis intervention, assistance return, reintegration,
and criminal procedures were discussed. A meeting of all anti-trafficking
coordinators was conducted where these individuals committed to
follow-up and secure the implementation of the TRM. o The identification of presumed trafficking persons OSCE in Kosovo is conducting an assessment of
the nature and extent of human trafficking in the territory, and
reviewing existing measures to combat Activity (2.3) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources STATUS: Some Activity • According to the MLSW, the SOPs define the various roles and responsibilities and outlines standards for the delivery of services and case management. There are two NGO service providers operating shelters for victims of trafficking which are signatories to one or the other SOP. One NGO provides shelters for domestic VoTs and other abused children, and one that primarily serves foreign victims of trafficking (the Center for the Protection of Victims and the Prevention of Trafficking, PVPT). Both of these NGOs have been trained in case management by external trainers. • The MLSW recently signed a contract for the provision of assistance to abused Kosovar children. Under the terms of the contract, the same NGO as mentioned above is obliged to provide shelter, food, medicine, hygienic packages, and psycho-social services for abused children. PVPT receives no government funding. There are also other shelters operating in the territory but these primarily assist victims of domestic violence not VoTs. Government policy mandates the separation of VoTs from victims of domestic violence. Only in emergencies do these shelters assist and VoTs. • In addition to the SOP and its recently signed contract with the MLSW, the NGO supporting domestic VoTs and other abused children bases its standards of care upon the UK’s Children Act of 1989, Residential Care, London HMSO. This NGO was formed by and is partially supported by a British NGO. The UK standards are broad ranging and cover all issues of residential care for children. • PVPT continues to operate under the international standards developed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which founded this shelter. PVPT is currently a local NGO. • Currently there is no specific MLSW certification process for shelters. • SOP reports are filed semi-annually by NGO’s providing services to VoTs. Activity (2.4) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • The SOP for foreign victims was finalized in 2001. Reviewing this SOP is an on-going process as spelled out in the document itself. According to the OSCE, this SOP is reviewed and updated every six months or on an at-need basis particularly if a procedure is unclear. The members of the DAS regularly meet to discuss trafficking cases and trends. Members may also request meetings if needed. Activity (2.5) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • OSCE, IOM and UNICEF: provided an initial training for social workers on how to identify VoTs. They then drafted a document which was agreed to by the members of the direct assistance group. In March 2006, 38 social workers, one per center, participated in a special training on the new SOP. Additional trainings were conducted by DAS members as mentioned in Activity 2.2. • Like the SOP for foreign VoTs (See Activity 2.4), the domestic version is reviewed and updated every six months or as needed in and on-going process spelled out in the document itself. The members of the DAS regularly meet to discuss trafficking cases and trends. Members may also request meetings if needed. • The MLSW reports to the OGG as the national
anti-trafficking coordinator every three months. • As spelled out in the SOPs, VoTs are normally granted a three-day reflection period in the ISF, but the number of days is flexible. ISF staff indicates that the reflection should often be extended to as much as ten days, particularly when legal procedures are involved. On the second or third day of reflection, IOM staff, alone or with a social worker from CSW if a child is involved, meets with the VoT. If the victim is willing to voluntarily cooperate, IOM drafts a needs assessment and project proposal for that individual and refers them to the correct institution. A VoT is not required by law to testify in criminal proceedings and is never involuntarily placed in a shelter. • Unless high security is required, a VoT is normally referred to a shelter where they may voluntarily remain for up to six months depending upon any legal procedures and how the reintegration program is working. There have also been cases where VoTs remain longer. PVPT accepts those VoTs who wish to be repatriated to their home countries. IOM repatriates these women, working with the office of that international organization in the woman’s home country. Objective: Monitoring Activity (2.7) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources Activity (2.8) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • No multi-agency group has been created. However, because a number of different agencies are involved in the reintegration of VoTs, the MLSW through the CSW coordinates monitoring. Reintegration is long-term, based on the needs of the child and not fixed to specific time limits. There are special provisions for children provided under the Law on Family and Social Services. The process of reintegrating children is always difficult, in part because of the prejudice against former prostitutes even if they were forced into that work. There are no special funds available for the long-term integration of victims. • Starting from three weeks after they depart the shelter, the NGO working with domestic VoTs follows-up, monitors, and works with young girls for a minimum of two years. Staff from this NGO normally works with government social workers in visiting former VoTs but if the social worker is unavailable, the NGO will conduct a home visit alone. This NGO also collaborates with IOM staff assisting victims. If staff from the NGO uncovers a problem, such as the girl has left home or is not attending school, they immediately inform social workers, police and possibly a victim’s advocate. • In 2006, IOM sponsored special trainings for social workers on the long-term reintegration of VoTs. • PVPT with support from the International Labor Organization (ILO) concluded a two-year pilot project in 2007 in three municipalities (Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Prishtine/Pristina, and Prizren) focusing on VoTs and particularly victims of the worst forms of child labor. It focused on the rehabilitation and long term reintegration of children by pilot testing a model of economic and social support services in tandem with CSW and local government authorities. Of the 135 beneficiaries selected by PVPT, MLSW, and ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor, 52 were withdrawn from child labor, 54 no longer work in hazardous employment and their work does not interfere with schooling, and 34 siblings of the direct beneficiaries were prevented from child labor by direct intervention. Best practices were identified, which included establishing child labor monitoring structures at the local level, and documented in a report to IPEC. PVPT also provided a training based on these best practices to the CSW and how to employ this model in future implementation. This project will be expanded to include six to eight additional municipalities in Kosovo.
Activity (2.9) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • No specific community awareness projects have been conducted.
Activity (2.10) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • As previously mentioned in Activity 2.2 regional trainings were conducted on the new SOP for domestic victims of trafficking. Participants included regional THBS officers, victims’ advocates, social workers, and local NGOs. A major focus of these trainings was the identification and referral of victims of trafficking. • IOM published a training manual for law enforcement entitled, Fundamental of Counter Trafficking. Using this manual, this international organization has conducted training with KPS officers and border police. Section 3 of the manual discusses Principles of Victim Identification and Assistance. • In 2005, five THBS officers completed the UNICEF sponsored Child Sensitive Interviewing Techniques Course. • THBS officers provided 17 training sessions at the Kosovo Police Service School (KPSS) for police recruits and officers attending investigation techniques courses. These trainings provided information on trafficking. • To further train police and raise awareness on combating trafficking, THBS provided several trainings in 2006 at KPSS to graded or mid-management police officers together with Border Police and Crime Scene Investigators. These trainings will continue with THBS trainers. • KPS officers, including THBS, have attended specialized regional sessions on investigative techniques conducted by the ICMPD and IOM. • The Ministry of Health, supported by IOM, organized a training entitled Sheltering and Prevention with Mental Health workers and nurses in 2006. The training was held in seven Mental Health Centers and its objective was both prevention and awareness-raising among mental health workers and nurses regarding the identification, assistance, and sheltering of VoTs. In addition, it also discussed the VoTs’ health problems and needed care. • In 2007, the UNDP’s Women’s Safety and Security Initiative (WSSI) will train female officers from THBS and KPS’ Investigative Section on Domestic Violence. This training will assist these officers in interviewing victims in a sensitive and effective manner. It is also hoped that this will encourage the hiring of more female officers.
• IOM trained 22 judges and prosecutors to increase their capacity and created a manual for law enforcement. • In 2006, the British and US Offices provided
five closed-circuit television systems, one for each District Court
in Kosovo (Prishtine/Pristina, Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Peja/Pec, Prizren
and Gjilan/Gnjilane). To date, the systems have not been used with
any trafficking cases but have been used to protect witnesses, as
would be the case with VoTs, or evidentiary presentations. For example:
in Prishtina, the closed circuit system was used with juvenile witnesses
in three cases, and to present evidence in five other cases. The
system has been booked for two upcoming cases with protected witnesses
which will take place in the near future, sooner than would have
been the case without such equipment. In Gjilan, the system was
used with a protected witness in one case, and to show evidence
with 25 other cases. In Prizren the closed-circuit system was used
with protected witnesses in three cases, and with the presentation
of evidence in other cases. In Mitrovica and Peja, there have been
delays in recruiting a technical operator but the equipment will
be shortly implemented. • The trainings conducted for social workers, victims’ advocates, police, and NGOs on the domestic SOP included role plays on best practices in interviewing VoTs/children. • In 2004/2005, the MLSW provided a year-long training module for social workers on the best models from around the world on working with children. • In 2005, UNICEF two regional trainings
for social workers, victims advocates, prosecutors and judges on
interviewing children. Approximately 80 participated in these three-day
trainings. The segment which included judges and prosecutors was
only one day.
Activity (2.13) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • Help-Line Established -- A toll-free Helpline was established by UNMIK’s DoJ-VAAU in November 2005 and is currently managed by the MoJ. Incoming calls are toll free answered by an operator on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This individual answers the phone, directing the caller to the territorially competent THBS officer when there are allegations of trafficking, or to a victim’s advocate in the municipality closest to the caller if other abuse is alleged. Some calls are answered directly by the operator, particularly those that are non-serious. In the awareness campaign mentioned under Activity 1.3, promoting this hotline, 1000 calls were recorded in a three month period. Data on telephone calls is currently recorded but is not summarized. There are also regional telephone lines for Victim’s
Advocates where trafficking allegations may be received. However,
these telephone numbers are not considered as part of the hotline.
There are in total 23 Victim Advocates deployed in the various regions.
The MOJ also manages a hotline for domestic violence. See also Activity
1.2. • According to an LTN report, 14 calls were made by trafficking victims between December 2005 - June 2006, one of whom received assistance and was referred to IOM. During this period the anti-trafficking line received 1,738 calls related to trafficking, 796 were requests for information on trafficking, and 942 requests for information on the anti-trafficking line, among them 14 calls were requests for information on assistance services for trafficking victims. Since the counter-trafficking line was initiated on 19th December 2005, there have been a total of 18,654 calls received. Translated into an average by month, the LTN receives 2331 calls each month. The majority of these calls are not related to trafficking, however, the above figure demonstrates the accessibility of the line. For purposes of the report, the calls have been classified into two main categories: (i) Calls related to trafficking and (ii) Calls not related to trafficking. • This hotline has been off-line for some
time because the NGO moved to a new location. Currently there is
no direct coordination between the two hotlines. • Database Established -- A database for social services was established at the MLSW in the first half of 2006 with support from a UNICEF. According to Save the Children, the database is used to monitor the caseloads of social workers at the 33 Centers of Social Welfare, to gather statistics on different cases, and track families and particularly, children in need. Training in the use of the database was delivered, and there are planned training for analyzing the data collected. For VoTs, it includes the information on the entire process of treatment and reintegration. The information is managed with a high degree of confidentiality. Only the Head of Social Services has access to the entire database. Social workers have access only to cases that they manage. • In its recent report, Children Speak Out, Save the Children recommended that significant efforts are needed in “improving and monitoring the central service database at MLSW. It could provide more realistic knowledge of the trafficking situation in Kosovo and it would enable the accuracy of the data for further in-depth analysis. • The NGO assisting domestic VoTs reports monthly to MLSW about children in its care. This information is entered into the data base. • IOM maintains its own database for internal. Information on victims found in Kosovo as well as cases assisted by every IOM world mission is captured on this data base. However, only a limited number of IOM staff has access as it is confidential. Activity (2.15) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • Currently there is no roster of specialists provided by the MLSW or the Ministry of Health (MH). However, professional help is provided by IOM and he shelters themselves. • PVPT hires its own psychologist and psychiatrist to provide psycho-social support to the victims sheltered there. • The NGO for domestic victims provides at-need psycho-social assistance on an individual basis. • IOM provides psychiatric and psychological
assistance to VoTs registered with that agency at least once to
carry out a needs assessment and can provide additional assistance
at the victim’s home or in shelters. They previously had an
IOM psychologist who provided secondary therapy to offer staff support
to staff dealing with VoTs but this position ended in late 2006
due to lack of funds. • According to the Office of Special Prosecution,
there is a roster of translators maintained by the VAAU at the MOJ.
However, in some cases, translations are difficult. For example,
a translator fluent in the local language of a VOT from Nigeria
was unavailable. In such cases, victim’s advocates try to
use a language that is understood by the victim. • The PVPT project on the Reintegration of Child Victims, see Activity 2.8, included regular visits to the families of child beneficiaries rescued from severe forms of child labor. Activity (2.18) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • PVPT offers a range of classes for VoTs sheltered in its facility. These include classes in computers; sewing; cooking; languages (English, Serbo-Croatian and Albanian); health education; and human and legal rights. • The local NGO for domestic victims provides trainings and education for VoTs (see Activity 2.19) and MEST provides catch-up classes. • IOM facilitates trainings and education, along with employment assistance. • The UNDP’s WSSI project will support the establishment of a Rehabilitation Center to provide social assistance, advocacy, educational trainings, and empowerment for VoTs with a goal of reintegrating them into society.
The original funding ended in June of 2007. However, additional funding is now provided by IOM but some cut-backs will be required. The UNDP’s WSSI project plans to establish a rehabilitation center (See Activity 2.18) Activity (2.20) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • An UNMIK Administrative Direction was issued in 2005 to establish a Trafficking Assistance Fund providing direct assistance to VoTs with funds from the Kosovo Consolidated Budget and donor contributions. At the same time, a Trafficking Reparation Fund to assist victims was to have been created. This fund was to receive money from the confiscation of property, court fines, the Consolidated Budget, and from donors. The Trafficking Assistance Fund was established, although it does not have a separate budget line. It is used to support the work of the VAAU together with the work of the ISF. However, the SRSG never appointed a Victim Assistance Coordinator and the Reparation Fund was never created. Currently all UNMIK regulations and Administrative Directions are under review pending a final transition of the remaining competencies to the Kosovo government and the successor mission. A revised Direction could authorize the appointment of a Victim Assistance Coordinator by the Prime Minister in the future. Activity (2.21) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • A prosecutor who handles many trafficking cases indicated that security for prosecutor and judges is inadequate. • The Office of the Special Prosecution does not maintain statistics on the number of the cases where protection was offered nor the number of professionals intimidated. • Representatives from both the MLSW and
THBS stated that there was no need to provide protection for either
social workers or police. • The SOPs define the roles and responsibilities for protecting VoTs. As a first step, each victim is sheltered in the high security ISF for a minimum three-day reflection period. Depending upon the victim’s circumstances, she may remain in the ISF or be transferred to a shelter with less security. See Activity 2.1 for the number of VoTs assisted. • At this time there is no uniform data base indicating how many VoTs have been assisted. Both IOM and THBS track the number of VoTs identified and assisted but there is overlap, duplication, and differences. As quoted in the recent Save the Children report, an OGG official indicated, We are not able to provide a clear picture on the situation of human trafficking in Kosovo, either for people of foreign or Kosova origin…due to lack of data it [OGG] will find it difficult to direct agencies/projects in specific areas where it’s necessary. • MoJ’s ISF provides high security for victims sheltered there. The other shelters have low to medium security for their residents. During the period: 1 October – 31 December 2005, IOM has provided assistance to 19 victims of trafficking, including 15 foreign and 4 locally resident women. According to THBS, 51 VoTs received assistance in 2006 from shelters and or other agencies. Between January 2005 and March 2007 IOM indicates it assisted 45 local VoTs and 39 foreign. • MSLW is engaged in the protection of children VoTs. Social workers are required to be present whenever a child VoT is interviewed. According to staff there, the biggest problem is reintegration during the protection process of the VoTs, and in particular providing of employment for VoTs. This problem is not easily overcome due to social and economic circumstances in Kosovo. • The shelter for foreign VoTs (PVPT) receives no government funding. From December 2006 to April 2007, it was forced to close its doors due to a lack of funds. It is currently operational with support from OSCE, but its future funding is uncertain. • The NGO managing shelters for domestic VoTs, recently signed a contract with the MLSW to supply services to children in its two shelters. In 2006, the ministry funded one of these shelters 75 percent of cost with the remaining percentage and the second shelter funded by the parent INGO. However, the parent NGO will spin-off the local NGO and not provide additional funding and government support for these two shelters is set at only 50 percent of the expected needs. At this time, it is uncertain where the needed funds will be found. • The 2007 budgetary line item (Social Welfare) in the MLSW’s budget, which funds shelters and provides other forms of social assistance, is €461,000 less than it was in 2006. Activity(2.23) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources
Activity (2.24) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources Activity (2.25) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources STATUS: Some Activity • As mentioned under Activity 2.11, six district courts in Kosovo are now equipped with a closed circuit television system for witnesses. • The UNDP’s WSSI project will purchase six unmarked cars, one for each THBS regional office, to anonymously escort victims from place to place, such as to and from court. • In addition, under Article 4.2 of UNMIK Regulation No. 2002/1, a judge may order that an injured party shall remain anonymous to the accursed if there exists a serious risk. In these instances, the court holds a closed hearing with only the public prosecutor, the judge, and essential court personnel present.
Activity (2.27) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • Court houses do provide separate rooms for VoTs but they may or may not be victim friendly. Activity (2.28) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • According to THBS, legislation for witness protection remains in preparation. • THBS has no data on the number of victims/witnesses protected. • The Kosovo Consolidated Budget provides
no funding for witness protection. • According to IOM, nothing has been done on a country level because Kosovo is not a country and cannot enter bilateral agreements. Therefore IOM handles third country resettlements working with other IOM missions worldwide. Activity (2.30) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • The SOP trainings mentioned in Activity 2.2 discussed victim protection. • There are not statistics available on cases
where protection provisions were utilized. • The MLSW currently provides 24 hour social work services and under the SOP for domestic victims, and is involved from the first contact.
Activity (2.32) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • The Provisional Criminal Procedure Code of Kosovo has not been amended since it was promulgated by UNMIK Regulation No. 2003/26. However, according to the Head of MoJ’s Legislative Division amendments for revising the Provisional Criminal Procedure Code and the Provisional Criminal Code have been prepared and await the Minister of Justice’s presentation to Government. Following the introduction of these amendments, an inter-ministerial working group will be established and chaired by the MoJ to review and discuss the amendments. However, the amendments to these laws do not at this time include any amendments regarding the protection of victim as listed in this activity. • As mentioned in Activity 2.1, 66 VoTs were identified by THBS in 2006. Of these, 51 received assistance from shelters and other agencies. • There is no data on the number of victim’s offered immunity from prosecution, exclusion of admissibility of victims’ characters nor the number of victims’ identities protected. Activity (2.33) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • See Activity 2.20 for more information.
• Amendments to the Provisional Criminal Procedure Code have been drafted. However, at this time, none of the amendments address protective measures for VoTs. Such amendments could be added by the working group, however. For more information, see Activity 2.32. Activity (2.35) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • Article 310 of the Provisional Criminal Code provides penalties (both jail time and fines) for any person intimidating or bribing a witness. However, this provision refers only to charges of intimidating or bribing a witness in investigations or prosecutions involving organized crime. This provision may apply to trafficking cases since organized crime is involved in this practice. • Amendments to the Provisional Criminal Code have been drafted but at this time they do not include language to expand the coverage of Article 310 to all crimes. For more information, see Activity 2.32. Activity (2.36) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • No amendments have been offered to the Provisional Criminal Procedure Code banning the media from publishing any information regarding a victim’s identity. However, existing articles in the code may provide some legal remedies in protecting a victim’s identity.
Activity (2.37) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • The inter-institutional working group for children was constituted and is chaired by the CSW and co-chaired by UNICEF. It has also developed terms reference but has not met regularly. To date, it has conducted three consultative meetings with different ministries and the OGG. However, it is being reorganized. • The Inter-Ministerial Working Group is reactivating this working subgroup together with subgroups on prevention, protection, and prosecution.
Activity (2.38) Actors Performance Indicators Timeline
Resources • The Inter-Ministerial Working Group, chaired by the Director of the OGG, does meet and does share information but not on a regular schedule. In addition, the OGG Secretariat |