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differentiate between sex trafficking and other forms of trafficking such as labour exploitation.
The assistance given aimed to enhance the capabilities of organizations and individuals to
support victims, especially women, particularly through legal, administrative, policy and
advocacy measures.
45. In Austria, for women victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation (mostly adults, but in
some cases minors over 16), the Federal Ministry of the Interior has funded the NGO “Lefö”,
which runs a centre and shelter for these victims. Social workers and counsellors were involved
and closely cooperated with investigation officers. In the Province of Vienna, a centre
administered by the Vienna Youth Welfare authority, “Drehscheibe”, had been established for
unaccompanied foreign minors, including support service and repatriation. The institution was
based on the Youth Welfare Law which commits the youth welfare system to provide shelter and
protection also for non-residents if the well-being of the child is in danger, in accordance with
the Hague Convention of 15 April 1958. In the “Drehscheibe” centre socio-pedagogues take care
of children and special therapy including psychotherapy was also provided if needed. The NGO
SOS-Kinderdorf also offered shelter for victimized children. In the fight against child
prostitution, Austria also supported the NGO ECPAT/Respect, which promoted
awareness-raising in a number of tourist-destination countries.
46. In Belgium, many public entities and organizations provided assistance and protection to
victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking. A specific system of assistance for victims of
trafficking had been in place since 1993, with the federal Government and the federated entities,
NGOs and three specialized centres all offering assistance and rehabilitation programmes,
Pag-Asa, Sürya and Payoke, in different regions of the country. Two specialized centres for
unaccompanied foreign minors had also been set up by FEDASIL, the federal agency for
asylum-seekers, as well as three additional centres operated by communities: Esperanto, JUNA
and Minor Ndako, which also offered shelter facilities. Additionally, several NGOs were very
active in the protection and assistance of unaccompanied foreign minors, and some shelters
offered programmes for potential children victims that were also available through the civil
society.
47. Croatia reported that it has, through its National Programme for the Suppression of
Trafficking in Persons from 2005 to 2008, undertaken to focus particular attention on the
suppression of trafficking in children. A Task Force for the Suppression of Trafficking in
Children from 2005 to 2007 has been established within the National Committee for the
Suppression of Trafficking in Persons. NGOs directly engaged in the suppression of trafficking
in persons also participate in these efforts as partners and collaborators. These specific activities
are added to the ones related to combating violence against children. As a party to the Protocol
on Identification, Assistance to and Protection of Trafficking Victims, Croatia has entrusted its
Office for Human Rights to keep a consolidated record of trafficking victims and to continue
and enhance its cooperation with NGOs, which operate a free SOS hotline. The Office of
Human Rights also advertises prevention campaigns on television.
48. Ecuador replied that it had started a national policy in 2006 to combat abuse and sexual
exploitation of children. Previously, these crimes could be combated and prosecuted only
through police action and with the public prosecutor. Today three National Plans are in force: the
National Plan to Combat the Trade in People, the National Plan to Eradicate Sexual Exploitation
and the National Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Crimes in the Education
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