Prevention of the crime of human trafficking and risky behaviour among children

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At the invitation of Mrs. Vanya Georgieva, class teacher of the 4"B" class from the Second Primary School "Dimitar Blagoev" Blagoevgrad held an introductory training on the prevention of the crime of human trafficking and the safe use of online platforms, gaming sites and social networks for communication.

The Secretary of the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Blagoevgrad, Ms. Lyubka Kostadinova introduced the students to the role of the Internet and social networks as a method of involvement in human trafficking. The children were also introduced to the platform of the National Centre for Safe Internet which works to increase the digital-media literacy of children and young people and their protection.

In recent years, a major way to engage in trafficking has been the use of new technologies and communication channels. Children and minors are a particularly vulnerable group to be trafficked via the Internet due to the accessibility of the network, the anonymity of the individuals on it, and the particularities of age, which predispose them to unrestricted search and contact and to being placed in situations of risk. An additional risk of online communication is the replacement of the real world by the virtual world and the immediacy of communication.

Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Blagoevgrad in partnership with the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings will continue to work actively with students and young people this year to counter the crime in all types of exploitation.