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FMR 64 Trafficking and smuggling 65

June 2020 www.fmreview.org/issue64

and Tuan had jumped into a passing car Prevention and awareness-raising
that we assume was part of the smuggling campaigns
network. We learned several valuable lessons There is a need for awareness-raising
from this experience. As first responders, we campaigns in Europe and Vietnam which
were unable to adequately explain and offer depict the reality of working in Europe
reassurance to Mai and Tuan of their rights to and make clear the increased risks of
protection as vulnerable persons in Europe, exploitation and trafficking that accompany
especially in light of their risk of being the accumulation of considerable debt.
trafficked at a later stage of their journey. All prevention programmes must take
We should also have asked social services place prior to debt being incurred since
to remove their mobile phones to prevent repayment begins once money has
communication with the smugglers. Lastly, changed hands in Vietnam, not after the
we needed more time to build trust with them migrant embarks on his or her journey.
and to speak openly and constructively about These programmes should be multi-
how they could repay their debt so that they pronged, involve multiple stakeholders and
would feel able to decide to stay in France. address root causes. They must combine
awareness-raising activities with provision
Recommendations of opportunities for advancement such as
European authorities and NGOs should scholarships to secondary or vocational
adopt the following recommendations to schools and employment programmes.
improve their overall responses in identifying Prevention messages must also
and protecting migrants and potential be tailored to cultural and linguistic
victims of trafficking or exploitation: characteristics specific to the provinces
collect comprehensive data about victims from which the majority of migrants come.
Such programmes are generally well
of trafficking across Europe received when they are delivered by local
adopt a multi-country and multi-agency community leaders such as the Women’s
approach towards Vietnamese organised Union or by influential role models.
crime and increase information sharing One example of a successful prevention
and networking between State bodies, law programme was developed through a
enforcement agencies and NGOs partnership between a Vietnam-based
focus on the blurred lines between anti-trafficking NGO, the UK and
trafficking and smuggling to design a more Vietnamese governments and the private
effective response sector. The campaign used public service
recruit and train social workers and law announcements, delivered via traditional
enforcement officials from Vietnamese and social media channels, featuring star
diaspora communities players from Vietnam’s national football
team. Football is the most popular sport
provide mandatory, additional in Vietnam, and national team players
specialised training for translators, NGO are considered heroes and role models.
representatives, social workers and law The announcements were also used to
enforcement officials who are in contact introduce viewers to the NGO’s existing
with potential victims. This should include vocational school scholarship and job
how to provide information that is specific placement programme, providing an
to the Vietnamese context and how to alternate path to a better future in Vietnam.
conduct culturally sensitive interviews, and
briefing on the specific control mechanisms Mimi Vu Mimi.vu@gmail.com
used by traffickers and smugglers Nadia Sebtaoui nadia.sebtaoui@gmail.com
engage private sector actors to deploy Independent trafficking experts
prevention programmes in Vietnam that
address economic push factors