Lagos joins the Regional Network for the Support and Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking.
The 18 October was established in 2007 by the European Union as the European day to combat human trafficking. It aims to raise awareness among political decision-makers and civil society of the need to implement policies to combat the trafficking of human beings. *
The municipality of Lagos marked this date by joining the Algarve Regional Network for Supporting Victims of Trafficking, which is organised by the Association for Family Planning (APF), a 57-year-old institution that carries out its work nationwide in a wide range of areas, including the prevention of human trafficking. In the Algarve, this association has a delegation and a multidisciplinary team specialised in assisting victims of trafficking (EME).
The Regional Network, includes around 50 entities from the Algarve, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, has the following objectives: provide a networked intervention response; liaise directly with the national network; adopt common working tools and procedures; provide specialised and multidisciplinary support to victims; prevent situations of repetition by promoting victims’ skills and competences; support the assisted return of foreign victims to their countries of origin, if they so wish and declare, or provide them with the respective documents provided for by law; promote awareness-raising and training for technicians, security force operatives and others working in the area; and inform victims of trafficking of their rights and duties while in Portugal.
In Lagos, the issue has been addressed as part of the activities promoted by the Municipal Museum, namely in connection with the commemoration of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. So, the municipality’s membership of the network is seen as an opportunity to consolidate the integrated work of prevention, signposting, identification, and reintegration of victims of trafficking in the region.
According to the official source, human trafficking can take the form of sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminal activities, forced begging, slavery and the removal of organs. Other forms include forced marriage and illegal adoption, as well as the theft of babies for sale.
*Source: https://eurocid.mne.gov.pt/eventos/dia-europeu-de-combate-ao-trafico-de-seres-humanos