Investigating Sexual Exploitation in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and the Memorable Adventures that will last a Lifetime By Janet Ho MHIRT Summer 2007

Research Research Center for Health Policy and Public Health Center for Health Policy and Public Health Cluj-Napoca, Romania Cluj-Napoca, Romania Length of time: 10 Wks Length of time: 10 Wks My team: Noemi Salantiu, Anca Magyar, and Georgiana But My team: Noemi Salantiu, Anca Magyar, and Georgiana But First experience as researchers First experience as researchers

What is Trafficking in Persons? Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act (TVPA)- minimum standards (The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking In Persons, 2007) Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act (TVPA)- minimum standards (The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking In Persons, 2007) Department of State’s Definition (Department of State, 2007) Department of State’s Definition (Department of State, 2007) 2007 TIP Report 2007 TIP Report –Tier 1 –Tier 2 –Tier 2 Watch List –Tier 3

Human Trafficking in Romania Law no.678/2001-created to combat all forms of human trafficking Law no.678/2001-created to combat all forms of human trafficking Law no. 211/2004- measures whether or not victims are protected. Law no. 211/2004- measures whether or not victims are protected. Law no. 211/2005- informs victims of their rights and offers free legal assistance and counseling assistance (Natioanl Agency against Trafficking in Persons, 2006) Law no. 211/2005- informs victims of their rights and offers free legal assistance and counseling assistance (Natioanl Agency against Trafficking in Persons, 2006)

Human Trafficking in Romania (continued) Sexual exploitation is the most common form Sexual exploitation is the most common form –86.1%-2003 –85%-2004 In 2003 and 2004, women and girls ages were the majority of victims assisted (Surtees, 2005) In 2003 and 2004, women and girls ages were the majority of victims assisted (Surtees, 2005) Difficulties Difficulties

Methodology Purpose: offer a comprehensive description of the current situation in Romania Purpose: offer a comprehensive description of the current situation in Romania Objective 1: Objective 1: Objective 2: Objective 2: Objective 3 Objective 3

Interview Methods Convenience Sample (Cluj County) Convenience Sample (Cluj County) On-site interviews and personal interviews On-site interviews and personal interviews –Public institutions –NGOs –Religious leaders Romanian/English Romanian/English Open-Ended Questions Open-Ended Questions

Results Outreach and Activities Outreach and Activities –NGO’s and Public Institutions Funding Funding –Cluj County is not at high risk –Open to collaboration Religious Community Response Religious Community Response –Religious leaders: Orthodox and Catholic

Recommendations Train individuals in well respected positions as well as individuals working with populations who are at high risks. Train individuals in well respected positions as well as individuals working with populations who are at high risks. Include subjects in curricula planning in order to help educate youth. Include subjects in curricula planning in order to help educate youth. Encourage collaboration among all the major stakeholders. Encourage collaboration among all the major stakeholders. A regional network consisting of various private and public organizations should collaborate to prevent human trafficking and assist victims. A regional network consisting of various private and public organizations should collaborate to prevent human trafficking and assist victims. Establish a protocol for the stakeholders who do not directly work or assist victims. Establish a protocol for the stakeholders who do not directly work or assist victims.

Recommendations (Cont.) Encourage government officials to help strengthen international borders. Encourage government officials to help strengthen international borders. More programs need to be established to address the most vulnerable populations. More programs need to be established to address the most vulnerable populations. Professionals are trained to assist victims of trafficking, but are not training others to assist victims. Professionals are trained to assist victims of trafficking, but are not training others to assist victims. Promote hotlines to assist families, victims, or individuals who might encounter a victim. Promote hotlines to assist families, victims, or individuals who might encounter a victim.

Theoretical Model

Overall Experience Research article is being edited and will be published in the Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities Research article is being edited and will be published in the Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities Broad generalization Broad generalization Motivation to continue research Motivation to continue research

Culture

Leisure Activities International Students International Students –Botanical garden –Progressive Dinner

Leisure Activities (cont.) Running Running Central Park Central Park Eating out Eating out Dorm Life Dorm Life Cafes Cafes Transylvania Film Festival Transylvania Film Festival

Workshop/Conference Maternal and Child Health Workshop Maternal and Child Health Workshop Summer Institute for Rural and Environmental Health Summer Institute for Rural and Environmental Health

Trips Bucharest Bucharest Sibiu-European Cultural capital Sibiu-European Cultural capital Sighisoara Sighisoara Bran Bran Brashov Brashov Turda Turda

Pictures from Trips

References Department of State. (2007). Trafficking in persons report. Retrieved July 6, 2007, from Department of State. (2007). Trafficking in persons report. Retrieved July 6, 2007, from National Agency against Trafficking in Persons. (2006). National action plan for : For implementing the national strategy against trafficking in persons Retrieved on July 6, 2007, from National Agency against Trafficking in Persons. (2006). National action plan for : For implementing the national strategy against trafficking in persons Retrieved on July 6, 2007, from Surtees, R. (2005). Second annual report on victims of trafficking in South-Eastern Europe. Retrieved June 13, 2007, from Surtees, R. (2005). Second annual report on victims of trafficking in South-Eastern Europe. Retrieved June 13, 2007, from The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. (2007). Trafficking in persons report. Retrieved October 16, 2007, from The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. (2007). Trafficking in persons report. Retrieved October 16, 2007, from

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