
On the 23rd of February 2021, the Information Centre "Europe Direct - Sliven", together with the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Sliven, Youth House Sliven, and the Regional Information Centre Sliven discussed with students from 11th and 12th grade from the Secondary School "Georgi Karavelov" in Shivachevo.
In the discussion "Opportunities and challenges for young people in Europe", the participants received information on the opportunities for legal work, training, and travel provided by the European Union, focusing on the risks of falling into human trafficking.
The Erasmus+ program and the European Solidarity Corps initiative were presented, through which all young people aged between 18 and 30 can receive European funding and support to participate in projects abroad or in their own country.
Vladimir Drumev, Secretary of the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Sliven, informed the young people about the dangers of being involved in human trafficking, focusing on the safe use of the Internet and social networks, which are currently the most commonly used tools for recruiting victims.
Emphasis was placed on sexual exploitation, which continues to be the most commonly reported form of trafficking in the European Union. The exploitation of women and girls in the sex industry is facilitated by the rapid development of technology and the use of the Internet to recruit, control, and advertise the services of victims.
Detailed information was also provided on methods of involvement in labor exploitation, which primarily affects males exploited in the agricultural sector (including seasonal work), construction industry, hotels and restaurants, car cleaning, waste collection and recycling enterprises, forestry, etc.
Opportunities for reporting the crime were discussed, including through the National Anti-Trafficking Hotline: 080020100.