The new initiative was unveiled by Deputy Interior Minister Bartosz Grodecki in an interview with the state news agency PAP on Tuesday.
The announcement coincides with European Union Anti-Trafficking Day, which falls on October 18.
Grodecki said: “We are stepping up information campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of trafficking in human beings.”
He added: “Because in recent months it's been mainly women and children who have come to Poland seeking refuge, we are targeting our efforts at these groups.”
On Monday, Grodecki chaired a meeting of the Polish interior ministry’s anti-trafficking task orce, with officials discussing nationwide initiatives in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the PAP news agency reported.
Anti-trafficking leaflets for refugees
Due to the growing threat of human trafficking, the ministry has teamed up with the Polish Border Guard agency to prepare information leaflets aimed at Ukrainian women, as well as other people who have fled to Poland, according to officials.
Available in Ukrainian, Polish and English, the handouts feature the phone number to Poland’s National Information and Consultation Centre for victims of trafficking in persons (KCIK): +48 22 628 01 20.
Tougher penalties for trafficking
Ever since Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine sparked a wave of refugees fleeing to Poland, officials have been warning about criminal groups that might exploit the dramatic situation of refugees, especially women and children, reporters were told.
To protect refugees from war-torn Ukraine, Poland has toughened penalties for crimes such as human trafficking and procuring, PAP reported.
Trafficking market worth USD 32bn a year
The spokesman for Poland’s police force, Mariusz Ciarka, said that “human trafficking is modern slavery, but above all it is a crime that strikes at fundamental human values such as freedom and human dignity.”
He noted that victims of trafficking were usually used for forced labour or prostitution.
“Trafficking in persons is the third most profitable criminal activity in the world, behind illicit trade in arms and narcotics, bringing some USD 32 billion a year, according to the United Nations,” Ciarka said.
He added that Poland’s police force was working with public agencies, NGOs and international institutions, including Interpol, Europol and Eurojust, to combat trafficking in human beings.
Ciarka also stated that women and children from Ukraine, "due to their vulnerable situation," were in particular danger of being targeted by modern-slavery groups.
He told the PAP news agency: “It’s worthwhile to remember about the crime of human trafficking every day, not just on October 18. We would advise people to learn about ways to avoid such threats and where to go for appropriate help.”
Ciarka urged everyone who fell victim to human trafficking or had information about such criminal practices to contact the Polish police’s special hotline at +48 47 72 565 02 or email handelludzmibsk@policja.gov.pl.
“This can help prevent human tragedies,” he said.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu