Human trafficking in Belarus and Ukraine: An underscored problem

Despite the noteworthy number of men exposed to trafficking, so far trafficking in these Eastern-European countries was underscored.

This study performed by International Organization for Migration (IOM) considers the specific experiences of trafficked males of Belarusian and Ukrainian nationality highlighting how trafficking takes place from these countries. Trafficking in males has been underestimated despite the noteworthy number of men exposed to trafficking. Tailored services are required based on male victim’s pre-trafficking life (their personal, family and socioeconomic background), trafficking experience (from recruitment, through transportation and during exploitation) and post-trafficking experience (including assistance and protection needs). The study draws on primary data collected about 685 trafficked males assisted by IOM and its partners, through IOM’s Counter-Trafficking Module Database (CTM) in Geneva as well as qualitative information from interviews with and case files of assisted men.

According to the study, the majority of Belarusan and Ukrainian trafficked men assisted between 2004 and 2006 were adults, between 18 and 44 years. In spite of their education, technical training and past

work experience, unemployment was a serious issue for many men trafficked from Belarus, the majority being unemployed at recruitment. Most Belarusian men were trafficked to Russia; Russia was also the primary (and increasingly the most common) destination country for Ukrainian men.

Through the lens of trafficking in males (primarily adult men) from Belarus and Ukraine, the study considers not only what we know about these less considered profiles of trafficked persons, forms of trafficking and assistance experiences but, equally, what can be done to meet their post-trafficking needs.

You can read and download the whole study here.