REST THB: Research, Support and Tools for the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings in Malta, with a particular Focus on Refugees

⚠️ Watch the video “Human Trafficking in Malta – Support for Victims”, available in these languages: English, Française, Español, Tagalog, বাংলা, اللغة العربية, Pусскоязычный, Українська, Magyar, 中文, हिन्दी

? Read the account of two Filipino human trafficking victims in Malta

Kopin’s project REST THB aims to contribute to the prevention of and fight against trafficking in human beings (THB) in Malta.  

Based on research with frontline agencies and trafficking survivors, REST THB will be providing tools to raise the awareness of potential and actual victims of this heinous crime.  The specific target group is refugees who are residing in Maltese open reception centres as well as the communities, who will be informed about the characteristics and forms of the crime and where they can seek help. 

REST THB further aims to strengthen Maltese stakeholders’ networking and capacities in the fight against THB, at a time when policy reforms will hopefully put greater emphasis on a victim-centred and collaborative approach of all frontliners involved in the field. 

The project is being implemented between October 2018 and July 2020, engaging in four interrelated work streams:

  • Desk and field research on the state of affairs concerning THB in Malta, including with frontline workers and victims.  This research will be informing all other work tasks.
  • Development of information and awareness video on THB: a short video clip has been produced in 11 languages, aimed at providing potential and actual THB victims with information regarding indicators for this crime and where they can seek help in Malta.  The videos will be disseminated widely, including to all relevant stakeholders in Malta, through this page (see the announcement on top!) and via social media.  The latter will be targeting specific language groups in Malta, known to be more prone to falling victim to THB.
  • Provision of culturally appropriate info sessions about THB to refugees who are residents of open reception centres.
  • Continued efforts to develop and strengthen the networks with and of all relevant THB stakeholders in Malta. The aim of this action is to improve inter-agency cooperation, including between government and non-governmental actors, whilst also advocating for a stronger application of culturally sensitive, victim-centred multi-stakeholder approaches in preventing and fighting THB in Malta.

In the wider context, this project contributes to Kopin’s efforts as a key civil society stakeholder in the fight against THB, a field in which the organisation has been engaged since 2013.

This project is financed thanks to the Julia Taft Refugee Fund of the United States Department of State, managed by the US Embassy in Malta.

NB:  In this context, the term ‘Refugees’ comprises asylum seekers, persons benefiting from international and national forms of protection as well as rejected asylum seekers who at the time of project implementation are residing in Malta.