Addressing human trafficking through a victim-centred approach in Albania

15-17 June 2022, Durrës, Albania: UNODC organized a multidisciplinary training aimed at increasing the capacities of anti-trafficking practitioners in identification and investigation in trafficking in persons (TIP) cases through a victim-centred approach. The training addressed the main challenges in the region such as proactive victim identification, abuse of victims’ position of vulnerability, multi-sectoral cooperation and adequate sentencing and legal qualification of TIP cases as well as enhancing cross-border criminal justice cooperation in the region.

“Discussing the practical cases and exchanging the experiences with judicial practitioners and victim protection professionals, helped me deepen my knowledge on trafficking in persons.”, said Rovena Balla, a lawyer at the NGO Different and Equal.

"The training was very efficient due to the opportunity to exchange different experiences related to interviewing the victims through a human rights approach and ensuring the immediate victim protection in order to avoid any further traumatization of victims. We also discussed how to ensure compensation for the victims, for the damage suffered as a result of their exploitation”, said Ermira Shabaj, Inspector at the Local Police Directorate of Shkoder, Albania.

The training is part of the UNODC project UN.Locking Impunity of Traffickers and Supporting Justice for Victims of Trafficking in Persons in Southeastern Europe funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP).

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.2 to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets