Anyone who finds themselves in an unfamiliar environment can become a victim of human trafficking - forced prostitution, labour exploitation, forced crime or begging. In order to provide the necessary assistance and to fight human trafficking, today, on the initiative of the International Organisation for Migration's Vilnius Office (IOM Lithuania), a "Trafficking Shop" opened its doors in the centre of the capital.
Although the new shop, located in the capital's Vokiečių Street, is only a simulation, it symbolises the real problem of trafficking in human beings, and its shop window has been transformed into an exhibition showcasing the scale of the crime and the different forms of trafficking.
"Human trafficking is becoming an increasingly acute problem as migration flows increase. Both Lithuanians and citizens coming to Lithuania from other countries can become victims. Being forced into prostitution, working in degrading conditions or being forced to commit crimes leaves psychological trauma for the rest of their lives. In cooperation with our partner, the National Association against Trafficking in Human Beings, we have updated the platform www.prekybazmonemis.lt. Here, everyone - both foreigners based in Lithuania and citizens of our country - can find information on forms of trafficking in human beings and take a test to assess their resilience to the risks of trafficking in human beings crimes. It also includes contacts for free, 24-hour counselling and for the specialists needed to help. Human trafficking and human exploitation may be closer to us than we imagine, which is why we are speaking out and offering one space where people can find information in English, Russian, Ukrainian and Lithuanian. ", says Eitvydas Bingelis, Head of IOM Lithuania.

Women are the most common victims

Trafficking in human beings occurs both abroad and in Lithuania. Victims are deceived and exploited for forced labour, sexual services or criminal acts.
"Trafficking crimes are on the rise and take new forms in social contexts where migration is poorly controlled and people are forced to make decisions in the "here and now", for example to leave a country suddenly because of war or other unrest. The victims of crime are often vulnerable people who have moved to a new country and do not speak the local language, do not know the culture of life and work, are not familiar with the legal framework, and do not have relatives and friends close by whom they can trust or ask for help. Recently, immigrants from the Eastern Bloc have increasingly become victims: Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian, Uzbek, Azerbaijani and other countries, and Lithuanian citizens who have gone abroad in search of economic prosperity or who have trusted in the promises of romantic relationships", says Dovilė Vainorė, Head of the National Association Against Human Trafficking
According to the expert, more than 7,000 victims are registered annually in the European Union, but the numbers are likely to be much higher, as a large number of cases remain unsolved.
"According to the organisations associated with the Association, the average age of victims is between 21 and 30 years. Women make up as much as 63% of all victims. 
As many as 2 out of 3 victims of trafficking are women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation. Victims of this type of crime struggle with deep trauma that requires at least several years of intensive psychological support to heal. Sometimes the healing continues for the rest of their lives. We must therefore focus on prevention in various forms - social campaigns, discussions, messages - so that as many people as possible are aware of how to recognise recruiters' intentions at the very first moment, and so that they don't have to spend the rest of their lives dealing with psychological wounds and guilt," says D. Vainorė.

Trafficking in human beings shop

According to E. Bingelis, Head of IOM Lithuania, only a quarter of victims of human trafficking report the situation to law enforcement.
"Traffickers are increasingly using the internet to recruit potential victims - they are active on social networks, groups offering jobs and dating sites. This makes it more difficult for the authorities fighting the problem to identify traffickers and victims," says the expert.
The "Human Trafficking Shop" will be open for a week in the centre of Vilnius, Vokiečių str. 28, to raise public awareness of the problem and its prevention, and to encourage victims to seek help from specialists and to help identify traffickers.
When looking for a new job, Bingelis urges people to make sure that the organisation is legal, that the pay is adequate, and that under no circumstances should they give their original ID to employers. If you are in a long-distance romantic relationship, make sure you know where you are going before you go to a stranger and leave information about your upcoming stay with family or friends. If you think you have been trafficked or if you have seen cases of exploitation in your own environment, you can find help at any time of the day or night: https://prekybazmonemis.lt/.