Trafficking volume in Armenia underestimated

TRAFFICKING VOLUME IN ARMENIAN UNDERESTIMATED

Armenpress

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS: An independent study by the International
Organization of Migration (IOM) has revealed that the volume of
trafficking in human beings from Armenia is underestimated. The study
indicates that Armenia is primarily a source and transit country
for women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation mainly to the
United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Turkey, as well as Russia, Greece,
and other European countries.

Majority of victims of trafficking are of the average age of 15
to 32 years, they originate mainly from poor rural and urban areas
in Armenia.

The IOM Yerevan office and the Armenian foreign ministry will hang
posters in shops, churches and other places visited by Armenians in
those countries which have Armenian consulates with telephone numbers
of consulates for these women to seek help.

IOM Yerevan office also is implementing a joint program with the
foreign ministry to train consular employees to quickly detect and
assist victims of trafficking.