Countering new forms of Roma children trafficking: Participatory approach (CONFRONT)

The project aimed to strengthen counter-trafficking efforts in Europe by addressing two deficiencies in the current counter-trafficking response: lack of in-depth knowledge of the new forms of trafficking affecting children and lack of active involvement of the Roma community – a group at high risk of child trafficking. It focused on three new forms of trafficking: child begging, labour exploitation for pick-pocketing and sexual exploitation of boys. Activities took place in seven EU Member States, four of them typical countries of origin for victims of trafficking (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia) and three of them traditionally destination points for Roma victims (Austria, Italy, Greece).

Project’s objectives:

• To strengthen counter-trafficking efforts targeting Roma children by providing better understanding of new forms of trafficking through developing and testing new methods of participatory research and carrying out evidence-based analysis.

• To empower Roma communities to act as equal partner in counter-trafficking policies and measures.

• To enhance child victim support in countries of origin and destination by developing pilot initiatives for child victims of trafficking support and sensitising service providers and child protection authorities to new forms of trafficking and improving coordination.

Project activities included:

• Design of methodological tools and collection of data on the three forms of trafficking affecting the Roma minority in the countries of origin and destination. In the countries of origin, data collection was conducted using participatory research methods with the active involvement of Roma researchers.

• Piloting two initiatives to enhance assistance to and reintegration of Roma child victims of trafficking in a country of origin (Bulgaria) and of destination (Austria).

• Providing evidence based analysis on new forms of trafficking affecting Roma children in seven countries.

• Acquainting stakeholders with research findings and advocating for the active involvement of the Roma in counter-trafficking efforts.

Co-funded by the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the CPS, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.