Program Description

Since 2002, Winrock International and its partner non-governmental organizations have implemented trainings, seminars, public awareness campaigns and other activities to prevent the trafficking of women from the Russian Far East. Activities were conducted in the framework of “Trafficking Prevention Project in the Russian Far East and Siberia” and “Path to Success!”. However, protection and rehabilitation services for victims of trafficking in the Russian Far East have to date been limited or non-existent, and victims have been left searching for legal and psychological counseling as well as assistance from law enforcement and health services.

To fill this gap, Winrock is implementing a new two-year project to create a referral system for trafficking victims in the Far East. Through the Russian Far East Referral Project, Winrock will help nurture relationships and strengthen cooperation between state agencies, law enforcement, service provision organizations, and civil society. Through the creation of a strong referral system, the government will be able to fulfill its obligation to defend and guarantee the rights of victims of trafficking.

Project Goal: Improved collaborative efforts in prevention, protection and prosecution of human trafficking among NGOs, law enforcement, local government bodies and other providers, and improved provision of services for at-risk women and returned victims.

This project aims to implement a regional plan for trafficking prevention and victim protection through the creation of a referral system in the Far Eastern regions of Khabarovskiy krai and Amurskaya oblast, building on the success of Winrock’s trafficking prevention programs in increasing citizen awareness of trafficking in persons, engaging law enforcement and other government officials in prevention activities, and leading collaborative efforts across the NGO and public sectors. Proposed activities include trainings for law enforcement and other government officials; interactive discussions with NGOs and government officials in cities and towns outside the oblast/krai center; creation of Community Advisory Boards to facilitate an effective referral system; special courses on human trafficking issues for targeted educational institutions; and a final conference to share lessons learned.

Through the Russian Far East Referral Project, concrete and time-sensitive regional trafficking prevention and victim protection action plans will be developed and sustainable referral systems established in the two target regions. In addition, trainings for NGOs, law enforcement, local government bodies and other service providers will be provided in each region to help these groups effectively utilize referral systems and provide appropriate and effective victim-sensitive responses to trafficking.