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Consistent action against human trafficking brings to light an alarming number of cases. According to Fedpol, there is an unreported number.
In Switzerland, the majority of victims of human trafficking are women. Many end up in prostitution. Vaud combats human trafficking particularly extensively. The canton has taken stock. And it has been shown that those who consistently investigate human trafficking will also find cases.
They are the victims of modern slavery. People who are lured away from their home countries with false promises and then exploited.
The promise: A better life in Europe
An example: Ms. C. lived on the streets in Nigeria. One day she is promised a better life in Europe. The trip to Europe is organized by criminals and on the day of arrival in Switzerland there is a rude awakening. She is forced into prostitution.
On the day of their arrival, the victims are suddenly told that they will have to prostitute themselves in order to repay their debts.
This woman met Angela Oriti, one of the co-leaders of the organization Astrée, which fights human trafficking in Vaud. Oriti says: “On the day they arrive, the victims are suddenly told that they have to prostitute themselves in order to repay their debts.” This does not only exist in prostitution, human trafficking also occurs in the hospitality industry, in construction or in criminal gangs such as burglars.
These bodies are committed to those affected:
Vaud counters this form of crime with a special system: the Astrée association trains authorities, milieu workers and many other partners in recognizing human trafficking. In the example of Ms. C, it was a street chaplain who brought the woman to the hidden foyer in a side street in Lausanne’s old town. Victims of human trafficking find refuge there. Astrée also accompanies the victims through the legal process if they want to file a complaint. And helps them take life back into their own hands.
More cases found than ever
This system is having an effect: Since Astrée was founded seven years ago, more and more cases have been discovered. Oriti says: “Before Astrée there were two to three cases per year, today we have at least 25 new cases per year and in 2021 we have comprehensively accompanied 87 cases.”
The more you search, the more this hidden phenomenon comes to light.
Of these 87 people, 24 were temporarily living in the foyer of Astrée in Lausanne. The others came by for counseling sessions.
Such comprehensive offers including accommodation are only available in Switzerland in Zurich and Lausanne. In Zurich, however, half of the FIZ specialist agency for trafficking in women and migration of women has to be financed privately. In Lausanne, Astrée is financed almost entirely by the canton, with 1.4 million Swiss francs per year. The fight against human trafficking is a clear political will, says the Vaud State Councilor Rebecca Ruiz. “The more you search, the more this hidden phenomenon comes to light.” However, not all cantons in Switzerland have done this so far, but mainly those with large cities.
Fedpol wants to draw up an action plan
At the national level, the Federal Office of Police Fedpol is responsible for combating human trafficking. Fedpol is also registering an increase in known cases at the national level. In 2020, for example, there was a new peak in victim support advice. The Fedpol only expresses itself in writing on the subject of human trafficking and it assumes that there are unreported cases, as reported by Radio SRF. So this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Fedpol now wants to develop a new national action plan to better combat human trafficking. In addition, the Federal Office of Police announced that it would increase funding for cantonal projects in the fight against human trafficking from CHF 400,000 to CHF 600,000.
That’s still less than half what Vaud spends on the foyer in Lausanne.