Training on Anti-human trafficking at the European Affairs Office
The Salvation Army hosted a training from the human trafficking victim assistance centre in Brussels (Pag-Asa) on February 20th. Pag-Asa has worked for over 25 years in Brussels providing full assistance to victims of trafficking.
Ilse Hulsbosch from Pag-Asa led the training, which was attended by representatives of local NGOs working in anti-human trafficking and governmental organizations involved in this area. The first portion of the training focused on the Belgian model of working with victims of trafficking and the difference between trafficking and smuggling. Of great interest to the participants was the section on discussing human trafficking with potential victims of trafficking and the victim protection system in Belgium. The training also included helpful discussion and workshop portions where participants discussed their experiences of working with victims of trafficking as well as identifying situations of trafficking within brief narratives.
The Pag-Asa representative called attention to the need of grassroots organizations to assist individuals who fall through the gaps due to not fulfilling all the necessary requirements to be identified as a victim of trafficking or who are unwilling to go through the victim protection system and criminal proceedings. The group jointly identified the need to strengthen partnerships between organizations working with victims of trafficking and to improve the referral process.
Participants from The Salvation Army and other NGOs were grateful for the practical information they received from the training and many expressed feeling better equipped to encounter potential victims of trafficking in their respective areas of work or volunteering. The next steps forward include training for staff at Salvation Army social service centres and continued partnerships between organizations working to assist victims of trafficking.
Tags: Europe