The National Network for Children Bulgaria reported that the National Program for Preventing and Counteracting Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Victims for 2019 was adopted by the Bulgarian Government. This is an annual document implementing the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the National Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2017-2021. In 2019, the National Program will focus on prevention with 3 national campaigns to prevent trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labor exploitation and sexual exploitation. A campaign focusing on new threats and realities on human trafficking will be held on the occasion of the European Day for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (18 October).
Numerous trainings aimed at raising the skills of recognizing potential risk of trafficking and improving interaction on properly reffering of victims of trafficking will be implemented on a national, regional and local level. This includes specialized trainings for prosecutors and MOL staff.
Also, this year, the National Commission will continue to provide specialized victim support. In 2018, the commission's services helped 29 people, including 7 children. At the moment, the NCCTHB provides medical, psychological, legal and social assistance to 13 persons. In addition, victims also receive psychosocial support for proper reintegration into society. It is important to note that around 70% of the victims who received assistance at the NCCTHB shelters have assisted the law enforcement agencies in the detection of human trafficking crimes.
There is a planned improvement of the national legislation in the field of counteracting trafficking in human beings and the protection of victims by adopting amendments and supplements to the Law on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and its Implementing Regulations in Bulgaria, which will be synchronized with the European legislation.
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