FIZ – supporting women from trafficking
by
Milena Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. From ASTRA
Serbia now we are moving to Switzerland to talk about the issue of
trafficking in women. We talked to Rebecca of the organisation FIZ (Fachstelle Frauenhandel und
Frauenmigration) focussing on the protection of migrant women from trafficking, and all kind of violence inside and outside their families.
Milena Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. From ASTRA
Serbia now we are moving to Switzerland to talk about the issue of
trafficking in women. We talked to Rebecca of the organisation FIZ (Fachstelle Frauenhandel und
Frauenmigration) focussing on the protection of migrant women from trafficking, and all kind of violence inside and outside their families.
How
can migrant women get in touch with your organization?
can migrant women get in touch with your organization?
FIZ runs two outreach programs: the
Counseling Center for Migrant Women and Makasi—Counseling and Support Services
for Victims of Trafficking in Women.
Counseling Center for Migrant Women and Makasi—Counseling and Support Services
for Victims of Trafficking in Women.
FIZ advises migrant women who suffer
exploitation or violence at the hands of their husbands, partners, employers or
other people around them. We also support migrant sex workers who face
difficulties such as a complex bureaucracy when applying for a work permit. Our
doors are open to women from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe who
are having problems with their residency permits or undocumented status. Our
counseling services can take place in person or on the telephone. They are
always free and confidential. We can be reached by phone: +41 44 436 90 00.
exploitation or violence at the hands of their husbands, partners, employers or
other people around them. We also support migrant sex workers who face
difficulties such as a complex bureaucracy when applying for a work permit. Our
doors are open to women from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe who
are having problems with their residency permits or undocumented status. Our
counseling services can take place in person or on the telephone. They are
always free and confidential. We can be reached by phone: +41 44 436 90 00.
FIZ Makasi provides comprehensive and
professional assistance to survivors of women trafficking including: Crisis
intervention, psychosocial counseling with specific assistance for those
suffering from trauma, safe housing, organization of financial assistance,
information and assistance in accordance with the Victims of Crime Act, legal
advice and intervention with respect to residency matters and the Swiss
Criminal Code, evaluation of risks involved in remaining in Switzerland and
returning to the country of origin, assistance with criminal proceedings,
organization of daily routine, collaboration with specialized lawyers, doctors
and therapists, support with any possible return to the country of origin,
collaboration with authorities in the country of origin. Survivors of
trafficking in women can reach us by phone (+41 44 436 90 00) or are
transferred to us by police, customers, health and victim centers, neighbors
and others.
professional assistance to survivors of women trafficking including: Crisis
intervention, psychosocial counseling with specific assistance for those
suffering from trauma, safe housing, organization of financial assistance,
information and assistance in accordance with the Victims of Crime Act, legal
advice and intervention with respect to residency matters and the Swiss
Criminal Code, evaluation of risks involved in remaining in Switzerland and
returning to the country of origin, assistance with criminal proceedings,
organization of daily routine, collaboration with specialized lawyers, doctors
and therapists, support with any possible return to the country of origin,
collaboration with authorities in the country of origin. Survivors of
trafficking in women can reach us by phone (+41 44 436 90 00) or are
transferred to us by police, customers, health and victim centers, neighbors
and others.
What
are the main obstacles to their social inclusion?
are the main obstacles to their social inclusion?
The main obstacles are: discrimination,
stigmatization and missing language skills. Although migrant women who have no
or only precarious residence status theoretically have access to official
victims support, they rarely benefit from it. Some survivors are not identified
as victims, because authorities focus on the legality or illegality of their
status. They risk being deported before they can be identified as victims. Other
survivors who live in Switzerland without a legal residence status do not seek
support from the authorities or victim assistance out of fear of being
deported. Stigmatization and discrimination make it difficult for survivors to
stand up for their rights and thus they have little possibility to integrate
into society.
stigmatization and missing language skills. Although migrant women who have no
or only precarious residence status theoretically have access to official
victims support, they rarely benefit from it. Some survivors are not identified
as victims, because authorities focus on the legality or illegality of their
status. They risk being deported before they can be identified as victims. Other
survivors who live in Switzerland without a legal residence status do not seek
support from the authorities or victim assistance out of fear of being
deported. Stigmatization and discrimination make it difficult for survivors to
stand up for their rights and thus they have little possibility to integrate
into society.
How
have local communities so far reacted to your initiatives to raise awareness?
have local communities so far reacted to your initiatives to raise awareness?
FIZ regularly informs the public about
trafficking in women and the precarious situations of migrant women. Over 1‘000
persons annually visit our professional trainings and events for the public.
FIZ is also contacted by the media regularly. What is missing in Switzerland
are nation-wide trainings for police, judicial and migration authorities. Most
trainings are offered only in specific cantons. This leads to great differences
in the number of identified victims and the professionalism of public servants
handling cases of trafficking in women.
trafficking in women and the precarious situations of migrant women. Over 1‘000
persons annually visit our professional trainings and events for the public.
FIZ is also contacted by the media regularly. What is missing in Switzerland
are nation-wide trainings for police, judicial and migration authorities. Most
trainings are offered only in specific cantons. This leads to great differences
in the number of identified victims and the professionalism of public servants
handling cases of trafficking in women.
What
are the current data about women trafficking in your areas of action?
are the current data about women trafficking in your areas of action?
There is no reliable data on how many
people in Switzerland fall victim to trafficking in human beings annually. The
Swiss Coordination Unit against the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of
Migrants (KSMM) give the following data: „According to police crime statistics,
between 45 and 78 cases of human trafficking (Art. 182 SCC) and between 69 and
148 cases of incitement to prostitution (Art. 195 SCC) were registered from
2009 to 2014. From 2000 to 2014, between two and fifteen convictions for human
trafficking, and between seven and twenty-six convictions for incitement to
prostitution became binding each year.“ Concerning the real number of victims,
this data is not sufficient, since there is a large amount of non-reported
cases. FIZ Makasi counselors handled 229 cases in 2015.
people in Switzerland fall victim to trafficking in human beings annually. The
Swiss Coordination Unit against the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of
Migrants (KSMM) give the following data: „According to police crime statistics,
between 45 and 78 cases of human trafficking (Art. 182 SCC) and between 69 and
148 cases of incitement to prostitution (Art. 195 SCC) were registered from
2009 to 2014. From 2000 to 2014, between two and fifteen convictions for human
trafficking, and between seven and twenty-six convictions for incitement to
prostitution became binding each year.“ Concerning the real number of victims,
this data is not sufficient, since there is a large amount of non-reported
cases. FIZ Makasi counselors handled 229 cases in 2015.
Do
you cooperate with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
you cooperate with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
We are taking part in several cantonal
roundtables against trafficking and cooperate with all active players in the
field. FIZ Makasi is mandated by 11 cantons to support victims of trafficking
and collaborates with local authorities on a regular basis. Most survivors are
referred to FIZ Makasi by specialized trafficking-units of the police. Human
trafficking victims may request assistance from state and private victim
support centers. Victim assistance comprises advisory services as well as
medical, psychological, social, material and legal help. FIZ Makasi supports
survivors of trafficking and also other migrant women who suffer violence in
their dealings with state authorities and we coordinate between various
services where necessary.
roundtables against trafficking and cooperate with all active players in the
field. FIZ Makasi is mandated by 11 cantons to support victims of trafficking
and collaborates with local authorities on a regular basis. Most survivors are
referred to FIZ Makasi by specialized trafficking-units of the police. Human
trafficking victims may request assistance from state and private victim
support centers. Victim assistance comprises advisory services as well as
medical, psychological, social, material and legal help. FIZ Makasi supports
survivors of trafficking and also other migrant women who suffer violence in
their dealings with state authorities and we coordinate between various
services where necessary.
