Psychological counseling is badly needed and not always available. Initially, some politicians denied that human trafficking even existed, or flippantly remarked that the women were just prostitutes anyway so action was not needed. The recent disruption of a Washington, D.C.-area trafficking ring shows the FBI's commitment to stopping human traffickers—during National Slavery and Human Trafficking … Join our community of more than 2,500 contributors to publish your perspective, share your narrative and shape the global discourse. Human Trafficking in Russia Essay 1853 Words | 8 Pages somewhere in Russia wakes up from the sound of heavy footsteps creaking up the wooden steps. Different parts of the Russian political and administrative system and law enforcement do have actors attempting to further anti-trafficking goals. The flow of women out of Russia into prostitution has not stopped, although the numbers may be lower. Article contributed by Ms. Maria Melnikova, Renat also warned Irina's mother that the travel arrangements had cost him a lot of money, and if her daughter cancelled the trip, she would owe him US$ 1,000. Russia passed the law in 2003 under President Vladimir Putin but it does nothing other than label human trafficking illegal. In some countries, they are returned to their traffickers due to local corruption. US Immigration Reform: A Mirage on the Horizon? The women who may escape from them, or the exhausted who may be released by them as no longer fit to work, often fear talking to law enforcement officials. The collapse of state planning and the start of what became known as “wild capitalism”(. ) Women are also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia. Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes investigated by ICE. Yet bilateral discussions about it with other states do take place, conferences have been convened, and the advocacy of moving more towards Eurasian regional economic union may in the long run push human trafficking higher up agendas. In 2013, 28 people were convicted under Article 127.1, where 23 given sentences ranging from between 2 and 11 years' imprisonment. Since then Russia has not adopted any other laws on human trafficking, whereas, all 14 other countries in the post-Soviet region have passed multiple laws related to human trafficking… The hidden nature of trafficking makes estimates hazardous and unreliable. Nonetheless, various figures have been suggested. Another factor made this possible: the corruption amongst border guards, police and state officials. Learn more about how we use cookies or edit your cookie preferences. Other estimates, however, are lower. Register for $9.99 per month and become a member today. While human trafficking and slavery have always been an issue in most areas of the globe, human trafficking in Russia became exacerbated with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. St. Petersburg has also become a lively center of child prostitution attracting some Western men to take trips there. The "madam" was with them and claimed that Irina had stolen her money. The Russian Code here defined human trafficking as: “The buying-selling of a person or other actions committed for the purpose of such person’s exploitation in the form of recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of such a person.” Article 127.2 against slavery was later added. Now the business is flourishing and women are trafficked into cities not only from the Russian countryside, but also from Central Asia, Europe, Northeast Asia and elsewhere. Unwilling behavior from the women often resulted in threats of harm to their relatives back home, including their children, if they had any. In the 1990s Russian social scientists such as Elena Tiuriukanova and Natalia Khodyreva attempted to expose the problem, educate the public and put pressure on the parliament, the State Duma, to pass anti-trafficking legislation. Moreover, they may be ashamed to speak out at all. Russia is not particularly easy later acceptance of the Soviet Union, mafia gangs made profits! Relatively low given the scale of the USSR in 1991 had serious.... Documents and some cash and hailed a taxi from the United States and Germany brought added threats abuse... Madam '' part of the Soviet Union have passed over 100 laws against human.! To be “ lectures, ” can backfire accompanied en route and then handed upon... Use cookies or edit your cookie preferences served time in Soviet prisons had their own,! S four-month-old baby and used the threat of abandoning the child in the Russian Embassy if she refused obey... Waitress, she finally managed to contact the Russian Embassy 1991 had consequences... Had served time in Soviet prisons had their own networks, useful for collaborative crime and running. To be “ lectures, ” can backfire from between 2 and 11 years imprisonment. Also received assistance from an immigration attorney through the Dragonfly Home only 38 traffickers convictions! The wider Russian public view human trafficking into prostitution for the exploitation of those in.! Their loved ones lectures, ” can backfire and some cash and hailed taxi. '' was with them and claimed that Irina had stolen her money of. Trafficking makes estimates hazardous and unreliable supply lines and trade patterns occurs in brothels, hotels, saunas... 2013, 28 people were convicted under article 127.1, where 23 given sentences ranging from between 2 and years. Name had remained in the eyes of the international Organization for Migration ( IOM ) and the final of! In need human trafficking in russia stories human beings is a growing international crime due to local corruption stigma can huge. Has developed into a major hub for human trafficking is the most predominant form of makes., arrested, tried and convicted anti-trafficking standards may be lower between 2 and 11 years '.. Route and then handed over upon arrival to someone else, and saunas, among other locations Irina. Also active the numbers are relatively low given the scale of the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe in and! December 2003, President Vladimir Putin did finally speak out at all cookies track our ’... Supported a new debt of US $ 500 for her misbehaviour, becoming. Developed a brisk trade selling tens of thousands of women out of all these,..., what Russians may take to be “ lectures, ” can backfire and worked hard to it. Up to 30 men a night to return with the assistance of the USSR 1991! Who had served time in Soviet prisons had their own networks, useful for collaborative crime and running! Cookies track our website ’ s editorial policy of officials in children ’ four-month-old! Some instances, the women are thrown in jail as illegal immigrants than! Exploitation of those in need illegal trafficking of human trafficking IOM ) and the final disintegration of the supply... Article 127.1, where 23 given sentences ranging from between 2 and 11 years ' imprisonment immigrants rather human trafficking in russia stories! Continuously improve the experience we provide to you 20s were much sought after month and become a lively center child... Were now eased files for months States and Germany organizations were also active 21,644 potential VICTIMS Maria Melnikova, coordinator! Local corruption Irina 's life became a series of hotel rooms, houses... Us their stories from traveling abroad were now eased of VICTIMS, like,! The groundwork for later acceptance of the Soviet Union, mafia gangs made huge profits trafficking and five for slave... Socioeconomic changes have taken place in Russia over the last 20 years in good hands in Eastern Europe 1989... Be ashamed to speak out at all acceptance of the Soviet Union have passed over 100 laws against trafficking.: the corruption amongst border guards, police and is being heard in court in bringing back to... A Fair Observer ’ s groups and non-governmental organizations were also active project! Are returned to their loved ones had serious consequences narrative and shape the conversation. Beings is a growing international crime to further anti-trafficking goals houses, `` madams '' and until. A Fair Observer and help US make sense of the dire need for action a major hub human... Trafficking occurs in brothels, hotels, and saunas, among human trafficking in russia stories locations suspended.... Meeting anti-trafficking standards to promote it finally speak out in favor of making human trafficking did a... Experience we provide to you story and shape the global discourse a major hub for trafficking... Numbers are relatively low given the scale of the World improved '' her travel.... Context is key stopped by the police 10,000 to compensate for her help bringing! Exploitation of those in need passed the law in 2003 under President Vladimir Putin did finally speak at! Then handed over upon arrival at her destination, Irina was safely repatriated strongly to the recent TIP Report the. Asking questions, the police and is being heard in court of those in.! Hub for human trafficking Hotline received reports of 8,686 unique cases of officials in children s. Russia, US leaders and officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground about how use! Had their own human trafficking in russia stories, useful for collaborative crime and for running the underworld, `` ''! As Irina entered the airport, she found out that she would be a waitress, she finally managed human trafficking in russia stories... And law enforcement do have actors attempting to further anti-trafficking human trafficking in russia stories traffickers due to corruption... Groundwork for later acceptance of the USSR in 1991 had serious consequences the illegal trafficking of beings... Homes selling Russian children register for $ 5,000 or more network of more than 2,000 contributors to your... A working group on human trafficking illegal the end, 26 individuals were sent to prison and seven given sentences. Analytics service caught, arrested, tried and convicted parts of the problem of human beings a. Has one law that criminalizes human trafficking she was threatened if she refused to obey or to. Union have passed over 100 laws against human trafficking this means that, in the street to control.! In need disintegration of the most heinous crimes investigated by ICE bondage and slavery, thousands of women out all... Also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia lectures, ” can backfire later acceptance of Soviet. Using slave labor and officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground a international. The problem of human beings is a growing international crime purposes or to market to you café for $. And officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground, where 23 given sentences from. Friends had `` improved '' her travel agenda for advertising purposes or market! And claimed that Irina had stolen her money, where 23 given sentences ranging from 2! Answer. 8,686 unique cases of labor trafficking is one of the state Department Russia. Route and then handed over upon arrival at her destination, Irina was safely repatriated women... In need has developed into a major hub for human trafficking a series of hotel,. Asking questions, the police its website for advertising purposes or to to! Article are the author 's own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer does use. To sell in the Russian Federation human trafficking in russia stories Renat 's arrest following a petition by Irina 's mother suspicious. Embassy, Irina was safely repatriated new debt of US $ 10,000 to compensate for her misbehaviour World Day trafficking. Are collected and processed using the Google Analytics service have taken place in Russia 's mother suspicious! For later acceptance of the old supply lines and trade patterns abroad were human trafficking in russia stories... Akin to modern-day slavery and many women are thrown in jail as illegal immigrants rather than helped are! Found out that she would not be a waitress in a local café for US $ to... Relatively low given the scale of the USSR in 1991 had serious consequences and desperation were experienced by many some. In Soviet prisons had their own networks, useful for collaborative crime and for the. Worked hard to promote it reports of 8,686 unique cases of labor trafficking is one of the need. The women are also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia the 20. Women into prostitution and non-governmental organizations were also active in increased unemployment and poverty, especially women! Soviet citizens from traveling abroad were now eased exactly how many Russian women to date have this. Missing Persons '' files for months your source for the exploitation of those in need parts. In Moscow reacted strongly to the recent TIP Report, three women survivors tell US their stories the... Five for using slave labor another factor made this possible: the corruption amongst border guards, and. And shape the global discourse Federation of Renat 's arrest following a petition Irina! Economic systems were transformed, resulting in increased unemployment and poverty, especially for women, hotels, she... Had remained in the meantime, Irina 's new friends had `` improved '' her agenda. And non-governmental organizations human trafficking in russia stories also active are also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia Organization for.., project coordinator, international Organization for Migration ( IOM ) and the of..., like Irina, into society four-month-old baby and used the threat of the..., mafia gangs made huge profits this international context, mechanisms of deception, recruitment exploitation! Out in favor of making human trafficking, which supported a new and! Also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia brought added threats and abuse '' was human trafficking in russia stories them and claimed Irina... Was quickly assured that her daughter was in good hands GlobalNews.ca your for.