Angel Coalition
The Angel Coalition was founded in 1999, and ever since it has been encompassing all the forms of combating human trafficking:
· prevention (awareness-raising among target groups, research);
· victims? protection (rescues, repatriation and reintegration of victims);
· prosecution (assistance to law enforcement agencies in prosecuting traffickers).
We cooperate with law enforcement and governmental structures in order to fight human trafficking both in Russia and abroad, and to provide rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of the trafficking victims.
We understand that the fight against an international plague like trafficking in persons is inefficient and even senseless at one end of a trafficking “chain” alone -just in a country of origin. Therefore the Angel Coalition relentlessly attempts to establish stronger and more useful ties internationally.
Target group
Women and children as most vulnerable and unprotected populations have been the main target group since the very beginning, but we also actively assist men who find themselves in labor trafficking situations in Russia.
Members of the Coalition
More than 60 NGOs compose the Coalition today. However, we are not after numbers in our activity: the core of the Coalition are the time-tested partners who have had a history of working in this area.
Programs and projects
a. International toll-free help-line on trafficking
The international toll-free help-line on trafficking currently operates for the entire Russia, four European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland), and the USA. The help-line is an important tool for gathering information and receiving requests for help from the victims, their relatives, friends and other people involved. It is also a prevention tool: our experts give consultations on ways of safe traveling abroad (getting visas, finding employment abroad, visiting friends, tourism). The line receives calls from many cities in the world, during which the callers do not only get consultations regarding safe migration abroad but also inform us about alleged cases of trafficking and share their concerns on dubious tourist/recruitment businesses.
b. Trafficking Victims Assistance Center
All Moscow-based activities and the coordination of regional shelter efforts are carried out by the Moscow office of the Angel Coalition referred to as Trafficking Victim Assistance Center (TVAC). Its broad goals are interwoven and include assistance in repatriation of victims, work with government officials and coordination of regional NGO activity.
c. International high-level conferences and trainings aiming at awareness-raising among government officials
We are open for cooperation and try to establish dialogs with both federal officials, including the Presidential Administration, and law enforcement, educational and social protection authorities in Moscow and other Russian regions. High-level conferences, roundtables and trainings bring together federal/regional authorities, law enforcement, regional NGOs, and anti-trafficking experts from different countries (from police, prosecutor?s office, NGOs), as well as international organizations. These events are perfect venues to discuss problems, exchange experience and develop interagency cooperation.
d. Trainings for embassy staff in Moscow
We have conducted several information training sessions for the embassies of five destination countries. During trainings consular staff issuing visas are instructed in the ways of identifying potential victims and perpetrators among visa applicants.
e. Child Rescue project
Child rescue project focuses its activities on work in Moscow with sexually abused children and government bodies whose responsibility includes protection of such children. Government-wise, we primarily work with juvenile delinquency officers and police investigators at the Moscow Police Directorate. Training is based on two original curricula that both include theory and development of practical skills. Within the framework of this project the Angel Coalition has furnished two special rooms (sensory/relaxation and playroom) to work with minors at the police premises. Rehabilitation of children goes hand in hand with more child-friendly interrogations conducted by police officers.
f. Angel Coalition network of shelters
We put emphasis on development of regional network of NGO-run shelters and crisis centers providing psychological, medical and legal assistance to victims of human trafficking. Currently there are 9 crisis centers with overnight shelter capabilities, and the rest are day-time crisis centers. Since 2003 more than100 people have received rehabilitation services in these centers. In addition, the shelters offer trafficking survivors a variety of job-oriented courses, which helps them try their hand in something new and thereby start their lives afresh.
g. Preventive work with at-risk groups
Several information campaigns have already been carried out, during which we distribute our awareness-raising materials such as leaflets, stickers and posters. Articles are published in regional press informing wide public about the issue of human trafficking and informational seminars held among various audiences (at-risk women, schools, orphanages, various educational institutions). We advertise our help-line on regular basis using outdoor billboards and posters and arranging for distribution of Things You Should Knowinformational booklets in Moscow international airports. Another type of preventive work is information seminars for teenagers and youth. Periodically we organize outreach activities during which we distribute small handy items with our help-line numbers among at-risk groups.
h. Participation in drafting anti-trafficking legislation
Together with State Duma of Russian Federation and with assistance of the international anti-trafficking experts The Angel Coalition provides its expert input for the drafting of Russia?s first comprehensive legislation on combating human trafficking.
| 00 800 455 05 555 | For calls from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland |
|---|---|
| +1 8 66 800 0270 | For calls from the U.S. |
| 8 800 200 2400 | For calls from within Russia |
Contact us:
TVAC – Moscow office of Angel Coalition
Tel. 7 (495) 783 58 65 Fax +7 (495) 915 41 47
E-mail: program@angelcoalition.org
Our Internet-site:www.angelcoalition.org
Angel Coalition member NGOs are located throughout Russia; please call the TVAC for referrals.