Counteracting Trafficking in Human Beings

Торгівля людьми є злочином, що передбачає незаконні угоди, пов'язані з експлуатацією людей. Це може включати вербування, переміщення та передачу людей з метою трудової або сексуальної експлуатації, використання в жебракуванні, продаж дітей та інші форми насильства. Торгівля людьми становить загрозу для найбільш вразливих категорій населення, зокрема для жінок, дітей і людей з інвалідністю, особливо в умовах війни.

Information on the Situation in Ukraine

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army has resulted in the major migration crisis that has deepened risks of trafficking in human beings. Today hundreds of people ask for help, including the ones who have already suffered from a trauma.

State Targeted Programme

On 2 June 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the State Social Target Programme for Countering Trafficking in Human Beings until 2025. The programme is aimed at:

• improving the mechanisms for preventing trafficking in human beings;

• increasing efficiency of detection of offenders in this field;

• protecting rights of victims and granting them aid.

Implementation of the programme will enable improving the legal framework for counteraction to trafficking in human beings, enhancing inter-agency cooperation, and improving professional competences of the civil servants responsible for this industry.

The programme also facilitates the European integration of Ukraine and fulfilment of the obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Unio

Social Services

Victims of trafficking in human beings can rely upon the following services:

• shelter,
• temporary stay in reintegration establishments,
• psychological support,
• psychotherapeutic assistance,
• medical assistance,
• recovery of documents,
• works with family members, education,
• employment,
• social support,
• assistance associated with resuming social life,
• development of social skills and abilities, belonging to a social group,
• financial and humanitarian assistance.

Main directions of state work in the field of counteraction to trafficking in human beings:

• preventive actions (study; awareness raising; cooperation of organizations; mitigation of the factors causing trafficking);
• assistance to and support of victims of trafficking in human beings (protection and observance of fundamental rights; awareness raising; legal protection in criminal proceedings on the case; physical, psychological and social rehabilitation of victims; medical assistance, housing; financial assistance; assistance in employment and education; material compensation for damage done);
• criminal prosecution of trafficking in human beings (termination of repeated trafficking; counteraction to illegal migration; criminal responsibility of natural and legal persons).

In Ukraine, victims of trafficking in human beings can rely upon the following social services: shelter, temporary stay in reintegration establishments, psychological assistance, psychotherapeutic assistance, legal aid in solution of legal matters, education, employment, social support in connection with resumption of social life, development of social skills and abilities, belonging to a social group, and financial and humanitarian assistance.

A foreigner or a stateless person granted the status of the victim of trafficking in human beings in the territory of Ukraine, along with aforementioned rights, is also entitled to:

• interpretation services free of charge:
• temporary stay in Ukraine for up to three months, which may be extended, if necessary, including for the purpose of their participation as a victim or a witness in criminal proceedings;
• permanent residence on the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by law.

International Cooperation

• Cooperation with the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)
• Cooperation with the Interpol. This year, Ukraine has joined I-Force project where it cooperates in the field of trafficking in human beings and trains Ukrainian law enforcement officers on modern investigation methods.
• Development of the dialogue with FRONTEX on counteraction to transborder crime.
• EUROPOL remains one of the strategic partners. Active interaction with the analytical projects Phoenix and Twins as well as the European Migrant Smuggling Centre.
• The country has joined the initiative of two join operational teams established by Europol. One deals with the criminal network involved into trafficking in Ukrainian women for sexual exploitation in the EU, and the other one works with use of Ukrainians in secondary movements of migrants in the EU.