An Innovative and Participatory Training Module against Trafficking of young girls

1. An Innovative and Participatory Training Module against Trafficking of young girls Camille Karbassi Program Manager Child Trafficking Program International Bureau forChildren’s Rights (IBCR) Istanbul, December 2009 1

2. The International Bureau for Children’s Rights The IBCR is a non-governmental organization (NGO) created in 1994, based in Montreal, Canada. Its mission is to contribute to the promotion and protection of children’s rights as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its Optional Protocols. In 2003 it was granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The IBCR focuses on four priority areas: • Child trafficking and child sex tourism; • Children in armed conflict; • Child victims and witnesses of crime; • Country Profiles on the implementation of the CRC.

3. The IBCR’s Struggle against Child Trafficking The IBCR has been actively fighting against the sexual exploitation of children and against child trafficking since its foundation. It was among the first organisations in Canada to conduct extensive research on the subject of child trafficking and to collaborate with aboriginal communities and immigration officials in this process. From 2006 to 2007, the IBCR prepared a detailed study of the phenomenon in Canada. This study was prepared for the Justice Department and Public Safety Canada. This permitted the elaboration of a “Strategic Action Plan for the Protection of Victims of Child Trafficking in Quebec,” to best respond to this phenomenon.

4. The Definition of Child Trafficking

5. Child Trafficking: A pressing global issue • Child trafficking is a contemporary form of slavery. • There are pull factors such as: • The prospect of gaining employment. • The dream of a better life. • There are push factors such as: • Poverty and unemployment. • Lack of education and opportunities. • Economic imbalances. • War and political instabilty. • There are enabling factors: • Corruption, lack of effective legal instruments • ``High profit – low risk``

6. A Success Story • “The Trafficking of Young Girls: A form of violence that also exists here.” The objective of the training program was: • To train front-line community workers. • To build the capacity of future trainers. • To identify and exchange the problems linked to the phenomenon.

7. Training module activities • A participatory approach. • Practical activities. • Theorical content.

8. Love or Domination: A Theatre Production The IBCR is launching a theatre production entitled “Love or Domination, the Story of Gabriel and Florence” in December 2009. The Plot The play traces the story of Florence, who isdriven by Gabriel to the outskirts of the city intoa situation of trafficking.As she is drawn further into his stranglehold, Florence must find a way to escape the abusiveand unsound circumstances she is faced with.

9. Looking Forward… The2010VancouverOlympic Games Similar large-scale sporting events have shown to trigger a dramatic increase in trafficking incidents, particularly in child trafficking. In view of this and in consideration of the upcoming Olympics, the IBCR is looking to share its experience and its expertise with key actors working against human trafficking in the context of British Columbia. A focus on key sectors who continue to lack adequate information: • Actors within the hospitality and travel sectors: hotel employees, taxi drivers, airport, train and bus station retail employees; • Front-line workers from local NGOs and Aboriginal organizations.

10. For more information Camille Karbassi Program Manager c.karbassi@ibcr.org International Bureau for Children's Rights Bureau international des droits des enfants 2715 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine Montreal (Quebec) H3T 1B6 Canada Telephone: (+1) 514 932 7656 Ext. 221 Fax: (+1) 514 932-9453 Website:www.ibcr.org 10