It could happen to anyone

I have recently been briefed on the topic of human trafficking and the negative effects on the overall wellbeing experienced by those who have been exploited by traffickers. I have been introduced to different types of human trafficking and the prevalence depending on the country and region, and I have also learned of ways in which people can turn from passive onlookers to active advocates and supporters of victims. Although the majority of people are familiar with the notion of human trafficking, not many believe that it could happen to them or their immediate family and friends. There is often the misconception that only those of a lower socioeconomic status with little access to education and information, or those coming from disrupted families can be trafficked.  I must admit that until recently I was one of those people who was oblivious to the fact that it could happen to absolutely anyone. I was oblivious to the fact that certain places, situations, or people that myself, my sister, or someone I know has interacted with at some point in life could have led to a trafficking situation. We don’t think it can happen to us until the day it does. 

About 18 years ago, my sister was approached in a night club by a very friendly middle-aged couple, who were trying to strike a conversation with her and asking her personal questions. They were of foreign nationality and presented themselves as tourists who had travelled the world extensively and were now heading to USA. They convinced my sister to give them her mailing address, claiming they would like to keep in touch with her as she speaks English very well and they may have a job opportunity for her. My sister, who was only 17 years old at that time, was impressed by their kind nature and willingness to help her find a job. I want to highlight the fact that it was year 2003, and no one would even think of questioning the integrity of foreigners coming to Romania. A week after meeting the lovely couple she received a letter from them, all the way from USA, informing her that they would like to invite her to the States to travel with them and discus her future, and the help they can offer her. Enclosed was also a 100 dollar bill. Of course this could be a genuine situation but this situation is also one that could lead to a trafficking situation. One can only imagine their intentions, and I hope no one is lured in and deceiving by such behaviour.

Fast forward almost 20 years, and I am stunned to find out that  still, no strict measures were taken in regard to the age limit of youngsters entering night clubs and restaurants, - no checking of documents takes place when entering these places. Although the age limit is 18 years old for drinking and entering clubs, I recently heard that a 12-year-old girl invited a couple of her friends to an expensive restaurant, where she has paid with her father’s credit card which she has stolen the night before. It makes me wonder what easy targets they might have been for human traffickers that prey on these kind of opportunities: children, alone, in restaurant of all adults, possibly even way past their curfew. It also makes me wonder why were they allowed to enter in the first place, and why no one has asked to see their ID’s, or if they are being accompanied by an adult? Who is taking responsibility? Every person in society has a role in preventing trafficking and protecting our children, teenagers and adults.

Children and teenagers can be rebellious sometimes and don’t always think of the consequences of their actions. Therefore, I do believe it is important for adults to abide by the rules in an attempt to keep the youngsters from being exposed to endangering situations. Just like my sister’s interaction with that couple could have been avoided if she would have been denied entry in the club due to her being under aged, in the same way, those children could have been better protected against such early exposure to an environment that could prove unsafe for them.  

Call for action 

All countries need to be vigilant when it comes to combatting human trafficking, Romania however is a country that is known as an origin (a source) country in Europe and therefore this vigilance and need for protection is even greater. We need to be 10 times more vigilant that other countries in showing traffickers that we are taking measures to put an end to this horrible practice. It is of utmost importance that collective actions are being taken in order to discourage trafficking, and protect those who are vulnerable from being exposed to risky situations. 

Community members have a role to play but so does policy. It is worrying to see that on websites like https://www.protection-of-minors.eu/en/rquest/3, information regarding the legislation of minors entering restaurants or night halls for Romania is not provided. If such rules exist, they should be publicised, stricter rules should be imposed and enforced. Random police checks, as well as fines and property sanctions could discourage owners and staff of commercial properties from allowing minors onto their premises. It is essential that the minors themselves in this situation do not get fined as if they may already be in an exploitative situation, this can be complex and lead to, amongst other things, debt bondage and further control of a trafficker. Until we do that, perpetrators will continue to use these faults in the system to their favour.