MLP in gender equality seminar - Combatting Trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation - Madrid - 29-30 October 2018

The Mutual Learning Seminar in Madrid on 29-30 October 2018 examined Spanish good practice in combatting trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The presence of representatives from 16 countries demonstrated how governments all over the EU are confronting a severe challenge in combatting the activities of human traffickers, and particularly the trafficking of girls and women for exploitation in the sex trade.

EU and Member State policy in the field is framed by the Anti-Trafficking Directive 2011/36/EU, the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the  United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, and the Council of Europe’s Warsaw Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. According to the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, Member States have a legal obligation to address the gender-specific aspects of trafficking.

Spain’s Comprehensive Plan to Fight against Trafficking in Women and Girls for Sexual Exploitation (2015-2018) is coordinated by the Government Delegation against Gender-based Violence (GBV). The Plan has five priorities: strengthening prevention and detection, identifying and protecting victims, analysing data, prosecuting crime and increasing coordination between agencies. Spain has modified its legal framework to criminalise trafficking and protect victims e.g. by offering free legal aid. The approach is victim-centred and gender-specific. Spain also works to reduce demand through campaigns to make men aware that by buying sex they may support trafficking. Policy coordination is a further priority for Spain. The National Rapporteur plays a key role in monitoring and liaising with civil society.

Participants were interested in many aspects of Spain’s approach. They agreed strongly that measures to combat trafficking must adopt a gender perspective and centre on the welfare of the victims, who should not be punished for crimes they have been forced to commit, or for immigration related offences. A victim-centred approach means listening to individual women and the professionals working with them. Some women are more vulnerable than others due to race, poverty, conflict, class, lack of education or family support, or other discrimination factors. Women are trafficked both from EU countries – especially Romania – and from third countries like Nigeria.

Discussions also addressed identification, protection and compensation for victims, as well as judicial processes and the need to raise awareness among judges, police and other actors. Participants emphasised the need for more data, cooperation between agencies at all levels, and more cross-border collaboration. The policy priorities emerging from the debate included: a victim-centred approach taking account of the intersectionality of inequality; a gender and human rights perspective; holistic policies and more multi-agency cooperation; and greater international collaboration between origin, transit and destination countries.