Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare on Wednesday announced the operation of a unit for the management of human trafficking victims, that is based in a shelter for sexual exploitation victims in Nicosia but which offers its services island-wide. Acting director of the Social Welfare Services, Eftychios Hadjichristodoulou, said during a presentation that, in 2022-2023 the Social Welfare Services (SWS) have been called to assist in 296 cases of victims, while in the same period 34 women were accommodated in the shelter. Referring to human trafficking, on the occasion of the EU Anti-Trafficking Day marked on October 18, he said that this was a volatile form of organised international crime, which creates difficulties in dealing with it. He added that the use of digital technology and the internet have significantly changed the way human trafficking rings operate. He noted that in Cyprus the most common forms of trafficking are for the purposes of sexual and labour exploitation. Other forms were forced marriages, trafficking of infants and children, trafficking for the purpose of begging and committing criminal acts. Hadjichristodoulou expressed his satisfaction with the establishment and operation of the Unit, pointing out that the goal was to adopt a human-centered approach to the personalised support services offered in matters of human trafficking. He said that the SWS were called to assist in 147 cases in 2022, implementing individual assistance and support measures for victims, while in 2023 so far, these cases amount to 149. Accordingly, the shelter accommodated 20 victims in 2022 and 14 in 2023. Replying to questions, Hadjichristodoulou explained that the admission of victims to the shelter was voluntary. He also said that in addition to the shelter in Nicosia, which can accommodate 15 women, there was also one in Limassol. Regarding the male victims of trafficking, he said that they are placed in temporary accommodation. ‘Today, we are officially taking another important step towards the protection and support of the victims’, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, said addressing the event, noting that the operation of the Unit was part of the Deputy Ministry’s effort to find ways and practices to deal with this serious issue. She said that the Unit will contribute to a better response in all stages of dealing with victims of human trafficking, such as identification, reporting, support and protection measures, as well as the repatriation process in case the victim is not a Cypriot citizen and wishes to return to their country.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
