"The number of victims of both sexes received by the centers since 2009 to this year exceeds 290, and the number of people who died in 2018 was 27," said Sara Shahil, executive director of the Center for Women and Child Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings. Males and eight females, and four children: two boys and two girls), were transferred through specific channels, law enforcement agencies, social centers, places of worship, embassies and hospitals, and through the hotline, in addition to the social networking accounts of the centers.
The victims were women of different nationalities, ranging from one to six months, depending on several factors, most important of which were their attachment to security issues relating to their fate and the facilitation of departure and return to their countries.
Two centers were set up to house victims of human trafficking in Abu Dhabi, the first was the Center for Victims of Human Trafficking, and the second was the Center for Victims of Human Trafficking.
She explained that the establishment of shelters is part of the UAE plan to combat human trafficking crimes. The centers work to provide safe and temporary shelter for victims of this type of crime and respect their humanity through providing medical, psychological, social and legal services in addition to rehabilitation and voluntary repatriation services. .
Shehail stressed that the UAE is affected by the crime of trafficking in human beings and is not an exporter to it, and is making great efforts to combat it, pointing out the issuance of Federal Law No. 51 of 2006 on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, which is the first of its kind in Arabic, ) Of 2015, issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and amending some provisions of the First Law.
As for the psychological situation of the victims when they arrived at the centers, she said that the victims were in a bad psychological state as a result of the conditions they had undergone and that the centers were working to rehabilitate them with a view to restoring confidence and balance.
"The UAE is a target country for this crime, not a country of origin," she said.
The State Hotline (SAVE 800/8002783) was established with the aim of reaching the largest segment of victims of human trafficking and is a means of raising awareness and receiving information about traffickers and victims alike, and serves all emirates » .
She pointed out that the number of calls received by the centers on the hotline, reached about 300 calls in 2018, varied between cases of trafficking in people, and inquiries about the centers, and willing to volunteer, and donors, in addition to cases of domestic violence.
Shehail explained that the centers are the official body responsible in the UAE to receive the cases of victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of the concerned authorities, including police departments and the public prosecution, providing them with initial relief, support and safe haven, and then the second phase screening of persons referred in cooperation With law enforcement agencies, to ensure that they are victims of human trafficking and are not victims of trafficking or illegal immigrants.
The centers implement a number of victim rehabilitation programs, which are divided into two types of psychological rehabilitation programs and social rehabilitation programs.
The first involves examining the case of each victim and identifying the appropriate treatment, which may be art therapy sessions or toys, if the victim is a child, in order to reach the psychological balance that the victims lack as a result of trafficking. The program is appropriate for the victim, in addition to vocational training programs that play an important role in restoring the self-confidence of the victim and his ability to rely on himself financially, face life again, and take care of himself or his family. There is vocational training for the victims to learn careers that help them in the beginning of a new life In their country after returning to it. The centers were also sensitizing victims to strengthen preventive control of trafficking in human beings.
Financial support for victims
"The shelters provide victims with a range of educational and vocational programs and activities, such as sewing, embroidery, computer and arts skills, which help them to renew their self-confidence and gain new skills that improve their chances of finding work and naturally following their lives," she said. To cooperate with several agencies to provide vocational training services and to provide the victim with a certificate that facilitates his or her access to employment, both within the State and in the home country.
She confirmed financial support for female victims upon their departure, adding that the support depended on a study by the responsible social worker. The amount provided to the victims differed according to their social status, whether married, single, widowed or divorced, as well as the material situation and the number of children.
The centers also support cases in need of support in case of illness, as well as support from the Victim Support Fund of the National Commission against Trafficking in Human Beings.
290
A victim of human trafficking received by the "shelters" centers since its establishment.