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The Communication Initiative
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Serbian Anti Trafficking Action: ASTRA

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Serbian anti-trafficking organisation ASTRA works on the eradication of all forms of trafficking in human beings, especially in women and children, through a multi-pronged approach to the problem, including victim assistance, education, research and publications, networking of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and support to media. Apart from the anti-trafficking efforts, in 2012, ASTRA introduced a system to address the number of missing children from Serbia, in part, through a hotline telephone contact available throughout Europe, and continues to work on the issue.

Communication Strategies

ASTRA's work includes the following:

  • Prevention and education programme - ASTRA organises specialised trainings, seminars, roundtables, and lectures for the representatives from NGOs and institutions that may come across trafficked persons in their work (the police, social workers, judges, medical doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.). ASTRA has two accredited professional development programmes, one for teachers and one for social workers. ASTRA works to achieve visibility of the problem of human trafficking and raise public awareness through large-scale media campaigns, which may involve the production of TV and radio spots, posters, leaflets, booklets, and manuals, as well as through continuous cooperation with the media. Among a number of publications issued by the organisation is the "Human Trafficking Manual for Journalists [PDF format]", intended to offer journalists who write or wish to write on the phenomenon of trafficking of women fundamental information on the problem and give recommendations for writing to inform citizens about the issue in the interest of women victims of trafficking.
  • Networking programme with 11 local NGOs from Serbia (See partner section below.)
  • SOS Hotline and Direct Victim Assistance programme, including psychological and legal assistance, medical aid, alternative accommodation, and other forms of assistance available to trafficking survivors.
  • Research and reports - This includes the launching, in 2004, of an e-newsletter, a quarterly review of all relevant information on anti-trafficking activities and anti-trafficking actors in the Republic of Serbia, as well as the report "Human Trafficking in the Republic of Serbia: Report for the period 2000-2010 [PDF format]".
Development Issues

Rights, Women

Key Points

According to ASTRA: "Serbia is a country of origin of trafficking victims, a transit country, and a country of destination where victims of human trafficking are being exploited. Particularly vulnerable are women with primary and secondary education working on positions for which new labor market circumstances require updated and advanced skills....Degrading social and economic circumstances contributed to the feminization of poverty in our country, which becomes one of the main causes for the migration of women....Having signed and ratified the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and Protocols thereto, the Republic of Serbia is under international legal obligation to implement them in practice. Even though limited progress was made in the country in the field of combating trafficking, there are many unsolved problems, particularly related to victims' rights and protection and identifying and adequately addressing new trends and forms of the criminal act."

Partners

ASTRA Network members: Women Rights Center Vršac, PAOR - Panonian Activist Organization Zrenjanin and Cube Novi Sad, ASTRA Belgrade, the World of Words Velika Plana, Center for Girls Užice and Association of - Women and Mothers Anna Novi Pazar, Human Rights Committee Vranje, SOS for Women and Children Victims of Violence Vlasotince, Center for Cultural Affirmation Dimitrovgrad and Center for Girls Niš. Partner organisations are listed here.

Sources

ASTRA website, July 17 2013.