Trafficking of men – a trend less considered M Also available online at: R The case of Belarus http://www.iom.int S 36 and Ukraine To date, trafficking in males has been underconsidered in research despite noteworthy signals that it is a violation faced by many males, adult and minors. Often severely exploited male No. 36 migrants are overlooked as victims of trafficking (VoT). The noteworthy number of men exposed to trafficking necessitates assistance tailored to their specific needs and interests. Tailoring of services is required to the specific profile of male victim, not least according to their trafficking experience, whether they are a minor or adult and the family and social conditions to which they will return. Through the lens of trafficking in males (primarily adult men) from Belarus and Ukraine, this study considers male victim’s pre-trafficking life (namely their personal, family and socio- economic background), trafficking experience (from recruitment, through transportation and during exploitation) and post trafficking experience (including assistance and protection needs). We examine, on the one hand, what is known about this less considered profile of trafficked persons and, on the other hand, what can be done to meet their needs, both as a means of assistance and protection. 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. The specific experiences of trafficked males of Belarusian and Ukrainian nationality highlight some general patterns in terms of how trafficking takes place from these countries and, equally, some of the needs and interests of this specific target group. Attention to the gender dimensions of trafficking must be increasingly considered in research and anti-trafficking interventions. ISSN 1607-338X IOM • OIM US$ 16.00 The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IOM concerning the legal status of any IOM Migration Research Series (MRS) country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries. _______________ Editor: Frank Laczko Chief, Research and Publications Division International Organization for Migration IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants 17 route des Morillons and society. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM acts with its partners in the C.P. 71 CH-1211 Geneva 19 international community to: assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development Switzerland through migration; and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants. Tel: +41.22.717 91 11 _______________ E-mail: [email protected] This publication was made possible through the support provided by the United States Department of State, under the terms of Grant No. S-LMAQM-06-GR-151. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of State. Publisher: International Organization for Migration 17 route des Morillons 1211 Geneva 19 Switzerland Tel: +41.22.717 91 11 Fax: +41.22.798 61 50 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.iom.int _______________ ISSN 1607-338X Titles in the series are available from: © 2008 International Organization for Migration (IOM) _______________ International Organization for Migration, Research and Publications Unit 17 route des Morillons, CH-1211 Geneva 19 Switzerland, Tel: +41.22.717 91 11; Fax: +41.22.798 61 50, E-mail: [email protected]. i The MRS order form is found on the IOM website: http:/www.iom.int All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, Single issue: US$ 16-25 + US$ 2 postage recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. Payment must accompany orders and can be made by international bank draft or money order in US dollars payable to International Organization for Migration, Geneva. 98_08 IOM GLOBAL DATABASE THEMATIC RESEARCH SERIES: Trafficking of men – a trend less considered The case of Belarus and Ukraine1 Rebecca Surtees NEXUS Institute, Vienna2 Report prepared for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2008 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation of this study was generously funded by the US Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) in Washington as a component of its support for the IOM Counter-Trafficking Module database. This study is one part of a larger research series funded by GTIP and implemented by IOM’s Counter-Trafficking Division (CTD) in Geneva.3 It has benefited from the work and inputs of a number of IOM staff, both in Geneva and in the field. Thanks to the CTD and RES staff in Geneva, particularly Richard Danziger, Frank Laczko, Sarah Craggs, Jonathan Martens, Ayima Okeeva, Krieng Triumphavong, Elca Stigter and Caroline Zwaenepoel, for their assistance throughout the analysis and drafting process. Thanks also to IOM mission counter-trafficking staff in Minsk and Kiev, particularly Victoria Klimova, Irina Titarenko and Katerina Bezruchenko, who work directly with trafficked persons and provided valuable supplementary detail for the paper. The study has also benefited from the input of other colleagues. Thanks to Peter Biro who reviewed the report and provided helpful suggestions. Jane Nady Sigmon of the US Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) in Washington, D.C. also kindly provided inputs into the study. Thanks to colleagues at the NEXUS Institute to Combat Human Trafficking. In particular, many thanks to Stephen Warnath, Director of NEXUS Institute, for his review of and valuable inputs into this study. CONTENTS Acknowledgements..........................................................................................3 List.of.Acronyms..............................................................................................7 Executive.Summary.........................................................................................9 1..Introduction................................................................................................12 2. Trafficking in men – cases from Belarus and Ukraine...........................17 3. Individual characteristics and victim profiles.........................................21 3.1: Personal details, family situation and social environments .................21 3.2: Educational and occupational background ..........................................26 3.3: Social and economic environments .....................................................32 4..Recruitment.experience.............................................................................37 4.1: Means of recruitment ...........................................................................37 4.2: About the recruiters .............................................................................43 5..Transportation.and.transit.experience.....................................................51 5.1: Means of transportation .......................................................................1 5.2: Border crossings and use of documents ...............................................2 6..Exploitation.experience.............................................................................55 6.1: Forms of exploitation ........................................................................... 6.2: Destination countries ...........................................................................60 6.3: Working and living conditions while trafficked ...................................64 6.4: Experiences of abuse and means of control while trafficked ...............70 7. Identification and assistance.....................................................................81 7.1: Identification and referral of trafficked men ........................................81 7.2: Assistance to male trafficking victims .................................................84 7.3: Perceptions and issues in the identification and assistance of trafficked men .........................................................91 Conclusion.and.recommendations................................................................97 Endnotes.......................................................................................................101 References.....................................................................................................115 LIST OF ACRONYMS CTM – Counter Trafficking Module Database EU – European Union FYROM – Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ILO – International Labour Organization IOM – International Organization for Migration NGO – Non-governmental Organization SEE – South-eastern Europe UAE – United Arab Emirates UK – United Kingdom US – United States VoT – Victim of Trafficking 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMary To date, trafficking in males has been underconsidered in research despite noteworthy signals that it is a violation faced by many males, adult and minors. Often severely exploited male migrants