Furthermore, 23 publicly-run crisis centers offered social services to children and women victims of violence, including trafficking. • Reopen the two NGO-operated shelters for trafficking victims in Sofia. A financially-motivated crime, human trafficking statistics are on the rise. National Human Trafficking Statistics. It involves the criminal exploitation of vulnerable people for the sole purpose of economic gain. (ILO, 2017) 16 million people are trafficked for forced labor in the private economy. The General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) maintained a specialized police unit for trafficking cases. Government corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary continues to enable some trafficking crimes, and officials have been investigated for suspected involvement in trafficking. The current study examines what remedies for claiming compensation are available in Bulgaria. 10 Trafficking in human beings Executive summary Introduction In 2013 Eurostat published the first working paper on Trafficking in Human Beings in Europe. Experts also expressed disappointment in the lack of high-level political support, particularly vis-a-vis redirecting some of the money seized by traffickers toward victim assistance. Human Trafficking, 2019, is the seventh report from the national Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s Human Trafficking data collection.Forty-eight (48) states and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico participated. Child victims could stay in centers for up to six months at which point child protection services could place them with relatives, a foster family, or another residential care institution. This publication constitutes the second working paper at the EU level on statistics on trafficking in human beings and contains data for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Discover all statistics and data on Human trafficking now on statista.com! Now a European Union member, it's working to … • Introduce a sustainable financial mechanism for victim services, such as supporting shelters and repatriation. Bulgarians of Turkish ethnicity and Romani women and girls, some as young as 13 years old, account for most of the sex trafficking victims identified in Bulgaria. The recently published Human Trafficking Victims Monitor 2013-2017 (Slachtoffermonitor Mensenhandel 2013-2017) of the Rapporteur (2018) shows that there were 958 victims of THB registered by CoMensha. The government demonstrated efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex and forced labor. First, at a national level in Bulgaria, the human trafficking framework is inoperable for identifying abuses worthy of consideration. The hotel industry. The research and statistics on human trafficking in America are ambiguous, especially in relation to race and ethnicity. 24.9 million people are victims of forced labor. As reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Bulgaria, and traffickers exploit victims from Bulgaria abroad. In conjunction with Finland, Estonia, and Latvia, the government contributed to a multi-year project profiling trafficking in regional supply chains. Every year the victims of human trafficking in Bulgaria are around 10,000. Source: “550 Human Trafficking Victims Registered in Bulgaria in 2011,” novinite.com, July 13, 2012. The government demonstrated increasing efforts by allocating more funding for victim services and opening two new facilities in Sofia for trafficking victims, including a crisis center for child victims. Multiple government agencies conducted anti-trafficking activities, including a national awareness campaign on the risks of labor trafficking, which targeted students and included meetings with trade unions and social workers. Statistics and Facts. Experts noted the victim protection program was chronically underfunded, which hampered implementation of a fully-fledged victim-centered approach, and with the conclusion of the Swiss grant in 2018, expressed concern for its sustainability. Guilty pleas reduced traffickers’ sentences by one-third and led to a majority of lenient or suspended sentences. What is human trafficking? Corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary, lack of meaningful sentences for complicit officials, and long trials continued to impede progress. 2) Resources to address the increasing need are limited. The government also conducted 175 inspections of temporary employment agencies and identified 731 violations, and conducted 530 inspections of employers sending posted workers in EU countries and identified 2,781 violations. Additionally, courts prosecuted two complicit officials for extortion of criminals involved in prostitution and pimping; the trials were ongoing at the close of the reporting period. • Vigorously investigate, prosecute, and convict government officials complicit in trafficking, and hold convicted officials accountable with prison terms. The Bulgarian government sustained its strong anti-trafficking law enforcement response to human trafficking over the reporting period. NGOs report domestic servitude as an increasing form of exploitation, affecting Roma and ethnic-Bulgarian victims. Human trafficking is one of the EMPACT priorities, Europol’s priority crime areas, under the 2018–2021 EU Policy Cycle. Authorities initiated two investigations involving police officers who allegedly assisted pimps and traffickers. The Government of Bulgaria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Despite multiple NGO and media reports of complicity, particularly regarding police accepting bribes from persons in prostitution for protection, authorities investigated only three officers for trafficking-related crimes and did not prosecute any complicit officials. National Human Trafficking Statistics. Separately, in January 2018 a court suspended from office the mayor of a local village, who authorities extradited to Spain in July 2017, along with six other individuals, on charges of running a sex trafficking ring involving 51 Bulgarian female victims; the mayor was released on bail in October 2017, but the prosecution against the group remained ongoing in Spain. The human trafficking map of 2016 provided by human rights first reveals there were staggering 20.9 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. The most prevalent form of trafficking has been that for the purpose of sexual exploitation, followed by trafficking for labour exploit… In total, the human trafficking market in Bulgaria generates $1.5 Billion in revenue and has between 8,000 to 12,00 victims.. Human trafficking, also called trafficking in persons, form of modern-day slavery involving the illegal transport of individuals by force or deception for the purpose of labour, sexual exploitation, or activities in which others benefit financially.Human trafficking is a global problem affecting people of all ages. Bulgarian women and children are subjected to sex trafficking throughout Europe. The national commission held a conference on labor exploitation, aimed at improving the multidisciplinary cooperation through best practices and information sharing. (Private economy includes: private individuals, groups, or companies in all sectors except the commercial sex industry). The government adopted and approved a five-year national anti-trafficking strategy for 2017-2021. The Prosecution Service hosted two trainings for more than 50 prosecutors and investigators on understanding the victim-centered approach to trafficking. The commission also collaborated with a research foundation to provide training on improving interaction between lawyers and judges for better protection of trafficking victims; more than 40 lawyers, prosecutors, judges, investigators, and legal advocates participated. The National Network for Children Bulgaria reported that the National Program for Preventing and Counteracting Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Victims for 2019 was adopted by the Bulgarian Government. 24.9 million people are victims of forced labor. (ILO, 2017) Additionally, reports indicated police did not proactively search for signs of trafficking among women detained for prostitution, and prosecutors and judges lacked sensitivity when interacting with sex trafficking victims. He said: "A young woman, 20, got to know a young man who promises her all … The National Human Trafficking Hotline maintains one of the most extensive data sets on the issue of human trafficking in the United States. The government reports an increase in the number of exploited children and in the number of victims, primarily men, forced to beg in France and Sweden. The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines human trafficking or trafficking in persons: 1. Human trafficking is one of the EMPACT priorities, Europol’s priority crime areas, under the 2018–2021 EU Policy Cycle. The schemes for money laundry of human trafficking profits include luxury boutiques, outlets and car stores. Judges reportedly prescribed lesser penalties to sex traffickers if their victims had initially entered prostitution willingly, despite Bulgarian and international law deeming past experience in prostitution irrelevant when there was subsequent exploitation. Human Trafficking. The law accorded victims anonymity during the pre-trial and trial phases, but authorities rarely implemented this provision, resulting in victims changing their statements out of fear, intimidation, and bribery. Authorities did not identify foreign victims of trafficking during the year, compared to one potential victim of labor trafficking from Thailand in 2017. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is confidential, toll-free and available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. Government corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary continues to enable some trafficking crimes, and officials have been investigated for suspected involvement in trafficking. Observers reported victims lacked support during criminal cases, as the state reportedly did not provide knowledgeable legal counsel during trials. In addition, Bulgarian and Spanish authorities investigated an organized crime syndicate recruiting women for sexual exploitation; 31 suspected traffickers were arrested. These penalties are sufficiently stringent and commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape. The government conducted 152 inspections of labor recruitment firms and identified 464 violations. Polaris’s data makes very clear that migration – both internal and to another country, legally and otherwise – is a key vulnerability for human trafficking because migrants so often fall outside of the full legal protections of their countries of origin, countries of transit, and countries of … BULGARIA: Tier 2 Watch List. The mighty USA has also made human trafficking countries list. The gender of the remaining 1% of the registered victims was unknown. Download Printable Document. The government also co-funded 15 percent of the 390,000 lev ($239,120) allocated for shelters and crisis centers in Sofia and Varna, including the crisis center for children in Sofia. Bulgaria prohibits trafficking for both commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor through Section 159 of its criminal code, which prescribes penalties of between two and 15 years’ imprisonment. The commission in conjunction with an international organization conducted a study that analyzed the national referral mechanism and victim services, identified gaps in criminal cases, policy development, and victim reintegration, and prepared recommendations. The government continued to implement its 2017-2021 national anti-trafficking strategy and adopted its annual national program for combating trafficking and victim protection, focusing on prevention among at-risk populations, victim identification, and assistance. We need to explicitly recognize the connections between trafficking, poverty, migration, gender, racism and racial discrimination to adequately battle and destroy human trafficking in the U.S. The commission also conducted a national campaign dedicated to internet and social networks as recruitment tools. In this research, in-depth interviews and analysis of legal cases of migration in Bulgaria reveal that the typical kinds of human trafficking in the region are sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, forced servitude, and trafficking of pregnant women for the sale of their babies. Human Trafficking and Migration. In 2018, authorities extradited at least 13 suspected traffickers. The majority of EU human trafficking victims originate from Bulgaria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania, while most of the victims from non-EU countries come from Nigeria, China, Albania, Vietnam, and Morocco. Law enforcement officials, prosecutors, investigators, and labor inspectors received training on trafficking, including on identification; those trainings were mostly funded by international grants and NGOs. The government allocated 390,000 lev ($228,470) for services and implementation of the annual national anti-trafficking and victim protection program with an additional 557,000 lev ($326,300) from a Swiss grant, compared with 376,000 lev ($220,270) and 254,000 lev ($148,800), respectively, in 2017. Corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary, selective prosecution, and long trials continued to hinder progress. More than 400 law enforcement officials, prosecutors, labor inspectors, and refugee and migration officials attended 25 trainings organized by the government and NGOs; the trainings covered warning signs and identification of trafficking, application of the national referral mechanism and victim assistance opportunities, new trends and challenges with an emphasis on the use of internet for recruitment, and working with vulnerable groups, particularly children. 1st Evaluation Round. The government allocated 9,180 lev ($5,380) annually per child accommodated in a crisis center and 33 lev ($19) monthly per child attending school. Observers noted many victims did not cooperate with law enforcement because they did not believe the judicial system would protect them from re-traumatization, effectively administer justice, and convict perpetrators with meaningful sentences. Bulgaria Among EU Countries with Most Human Trafficking Victims - EC. For foreign victims who chose not to assist in trafficking investigations, the government provided a 40-day recovery period (70 days for foreign child victims) before repatriation. Child protection coordinated the repatriation of 15 child victims; however, the government did not allocate funds for repatriation and relied either on the sending country or the Swiss grant to cover the cost. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. Among the investigations, police from Bulgaria and Sweden targeted an organized crime group recruiting Bulgarians for forced begging in Sweden; the investigation resulted in 12 suspected traffickers arrested and charged. The main countries of destination for Bulgarian victims of trafficking are Western European Member States of the European Union, Greece, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Norway. The government increased prevention efforts. This is an annual document implementing the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the National Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2017-2021. The government organized a conference for Western Balkan countries focused on the anti-trafficking situation in the region and strengthening regional anti-crime capacity. In 2018, GDBOP and the Border Police investigated 25 international cases. National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 52A “G. The National Council on Child Protection maintained referral services and accommodation for unaccompanied minors. Bulgaria has been a destination country for a limited number of foreign trafficking victims, including from Southeast Asia. According to research by Polaris, traffickers don’t always look for the cheapest … Traffickers subject Bulgarian men and boys to forced labor across Europe, predominantly in agriculture, construction, and the service sector. Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Bulgaria prohibits trafficking for both commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor through Section 159 of its criminal code, which prescribes penalties of between two and 15 years’ imprisonment. There were no specialized accommodation options or services for male victims. (212) 419-8286. hadley.ward@statista.com. Courts issued fines to 21 convicted traffickers, compared with 29 in 2017. By comparing the Bulgarian criminal law definition of human trafficking with the international law definition, I argue that … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_Bulgaria For foreign victims who chose not to assist in trafficking investigations, the government provided a 40-day recovery period (70 days for foreign child victims) before repatriation. GRETA's Report and Government’s Comments, published 14 December 2011; Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. The government continued contracting NGOs to operate an additional three centers offering consultative services for trafficking victims and three shelters offering residential services. Based on open pre-trial investigations in 2018, the prosecution service identified 376 victims (309 of sex trafficking, 59 of labor trafficking, and eight of servitude), compared with 407 victims (323 of sex trafficking, 67 of labor trafficking, and eight of servitude) in 2017. As reported over the past five years, Bulgaria is a source and, to a lesser extent, transit and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Human trafficking is a seriouscrime and violation of human rights, involving force, coercion, or fraud to exploit a person into slave labor or sexual exploitation.. Human trafficking can happen to people of all ages and genders and any race or religious background.Women are often used for sexual exploitation, while men are usually used for forced labor. Observers reported the process for seeking compensation continued to be overly bureaucratic and discouraged victims from making claims; as a result, no victims received compensation. The government increased law enforcement efforts. Observers reported police and prosecutors often believed trafficking victims chose the life of exploitation, and prosecutors and judges lacked sensitivity when interacting with sex trafficking victims. M. Dimitrov” Blvd., Sofia 1797 Telephone: + 359 2 807 80 50 Email: office@antitraffic.government.bg Ministry of Interior – Chief Directorate “Combating Organised Crime" 29, Shesti Septemvri Str.Sofia 1000 Telephone: +35929825000 … An official website of the United States government, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the U.S. Victims were often required to give testimony in the presence of the alleged trafficker, and it was common practice for alleged traffickers to confront their victims in court and question them through their lawyers. The study will investigate and analyse the process of claiming compensation for victims of human trafficking, thereby identifying the obstacles which need to be overcome in order to claim compensation. Courts issued fines to 29 convicted traffickers in 2017, compared with eight in 2016 and 23 in 2015. Of the 59 convicted traffickers, only 18 (31 percent)received a prison sentence that was not suspended, a similarly low rate as in the previous four years. In 2009, police conducted 131 new trafficking investi… • Train more officials on victim identification. Bulgaria remains one of the primary source countries of human trafficking in the EU. Traffickers subject Bulgarian men and boys to forced labor across Europe, predominantly in agriculture, construction, and the service sector. Try our corporate solution for free! Human trafficking perpetrators convicted in Belgium 2011-2016; Conviction rates for trafficking in persons, by region in 2010; Peru: identified human trafficking cases by region 2017 Corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary continued to hinder progress, and investigations into complicit officials rarely led to prison sentences. Pre-trial authorities formally identified all trafficking victims, and the commission referred victims to services. In 2017, the government participated in six joint investigations with other foreign governments. We need to explicitly recognize the connections between trafficking, poverty, migration, gender, racism and racial discrimination to adequately battle and destroy human trafficking in the U.S. Ceipek moved to Bulgaria after retiring and opened a centre to help victims of human trafficking. Eastern Europe is among the major sources of migrants who travel for work to other European nations. The law accorded victims anonymity during the pre-trial and trial phases, but authorities rarely implemented this provision, resulting in victims facing intimidation and threats to change their statements. Authorities in Bulgaria reported rescuing 550 victims of human trafficking in the country in 2011. Officials’ lack of knowledge of trafficking indicators hindered effective victim identification, especially among foreign nations and women exploited in prostitution. Experts alleged law enforcement could not effectively identify victims, due to insufficient knowledge and understanding of trafficking crimes. Additionally, insufficient funding forced the two newly opened, NGO-operated shelters for victims in Sofia to suspend operations, further raising concerns with the government’s ability to financially support victim services. Although in general victims lacked support during criminal cases, such as the state not providing knowledgeable legal counsel during trials, an increasing number of prosecutors from rural areas worked with NGOs and social workers to prepare victims for trial. Bulgaria has long been a drug trafficking hub. The annual profit from human trafficking and prostitution for the Bulgarian mafia is over one billion euros, a RiskMonitor report revealed on Tuesday. The government also adopted a national program for combating human trafficking and victim protection, focusing on prevention among at-risk populations, more effective victim identification, and better support for survivors. Bulgarian and French authorities cooperated to counter illegal employment by conducting six inspections of temporary employment agencies offering work to Bulgarians in France. However, observers alleged law enforcement could not effectively identify victims, particularly labor trafficking victims and victims among third country nationals. Statistics and Facts. As in 2017, the government did not report the range of prison sentences imposed on convicted traffickers but reported a 12-year prison sentence imposed on a trafficker with an extensive criminal record. NGOs assessed the goals in the strategy and program as relevant and realistic; however, they expressed concern about sustainability since international donors and projects funded most of the activities. Hold convicted traffickers accountable with prison terms; enhance efforts to investigate and prosecute sex and labor trafficking cases; vigorously investigate, prosecute, and convict government officials complicit in trafficking, and hold convicted officials accountable with prison terms; proactively identify potential trafficking victims, especially among women exploited in prostitution; enhance efforts to train law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judges to understand the severity of sex and labor trafficking crimes and its impact on victims; increase financial support for anti-trafficking activities, including for implementing objectives in the national strategy and national program, and training officials on victim identification; provide knowledgeable legal counsel and courtroom protections for victims assisting prosecutions; provide specialized services to child victims, including unaccompanied minors; and streamline the victim compensation process and increase the number of victims receiving compensation. 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