Blind Betting: don't play with their fate!
Bulgaria launches campaign focusing on the use of sexual services by victims of trafficking
On the occasion of the 18th of October - the European Day for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the second part of the campaign for the prevention of human trafficking, with a focus on sexual exploitation, was launched under the title "Don't play with their fates", organized by the Directorate General for Combating Organized Crime and the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, with the support of IMPACT. The idea, the creative solutions and the implementation of the campaign are the result of a entirely Bulgarian team, and the activities will again take place in 26 European countries.
The focus of the second part of the campaign is on the use of sexual services provided by victims of trafficking. The demand for sexual services is one of the main factors that motivates criminals to export their victims. Not every girl, who prostitutes herself does so voluntarily, and when the client knows this, he is an accomplice to crime and his actions are also subject to punishment and sanctions.
"Don't play with their fates" will be rolled out again in the countries of origin of victims of trafficking as well as in the countries of destination. 'Destination countries' are those countries where traffickers exploit their victims and their clients use their services. Sometimes without suspecting, sometimes guessing, and sometimes with the clear knowledge that the girl is paying for their fleeting pleasure at the cost of her dignity, with the pain, humiliation, and fear of living trapped in exploitation.
Every year, hundreds of young women put their fate on the line. Sexual exploitation sometimes goes unseen. Their future may be different. Human trafficking is a crime. People who pay for sexual services from trafficked people are criminally liable.
According to the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, more than 300 people are victims of sexual exploitation every year. These are usually young women and girls seeking a better life in Western European countries.
Since the beginning of the year, 13 victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation have received protection and support in the specialized services of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
The campaign is the result of the joint work with the Secretaria of the National Commission and the DGCD, with the creative participation of the advertising agency New Moment New Ideas Sofia. The thematic video is again the work of one of the most famous directors in Bulgaria - Valeri Milev. For the autumn camping, multiple visuals have been created for online and offline distribution, as well as an audio spot.
The campaign is implemented in partnership with the 10 local commissions for combating human trafficking, Bulgaria National Television, Bulgarian National Radio, Nova TV, BulgariaOnAir, Eurocom National Cable TV, Metropolitan EAD, Sofia Municipality, Fantastico Shopping Chain, Next Level Fitness Club, MamaNinja.bg, Paradise Center, Kino Arena, Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association, A21 Campaign, Center for Safe Internet, Customs Agency, National Revenue Agency, National Social Security Institute, Executive Agency "General Labor Inspectorate", Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Science, Employment Agency, Social Assistance Agency, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health, State Enterprise "National Railway Infrastructure Company", etc.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
Single European Emergency Number 112 (completely free, no code dialed)
National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings - tel. + 359 2 807 80 50 (working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30), e-mail:office@antitraffic.government.bg
Local commissions for combating trafficking in human beings in the cities:
Blagoevgrad, tel.: + 359 73 86 77 77, e-mail:blagoevgrad@antitraffic.government.bg;
Burgas, tel.: + 359 885 532 692, e-mail: burgas@antitraffic.government.bg;
Varna, tel.: + 359 52 820 748, e-mail: varna@antitraffic.government.bg;
Veliko Tarnovo, tel.: + 359 885 532 131, e-mail:vturnovo@antitraffic.government.bg;
Montana, tel: + 359 96305 471, e-mail:montana@antitraffic.government.bg;
Pazardzhik, tel.: + 359 34 402 241, e-mail:pazardjik@antitraffic.government.bg;
Pleven, tel: +359 889 789 255, e-mail:pleven@antitraffic.government.bg;
Plovdiv, tel: +359 32 622 136, e-mail:plovdiv@antitraffic.government.bg;
Ruse, tel: + 359 882 049411, e-mail: ruse@antitraffic.government.bg;
Sliven, tel: + 359 44 611 336, e-mail: sliven@antitraffic.government.bg
National Anti-Trafficking Helpline, A21 Campaign Foundation - 0800 20 100
Learn more about the problems related to the phenomenon of human trafficking on the website of the National Commission: www.antitraffic.government.bg and www.antitraffic.bg