Investigating Sexual Exploitation
in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and the
Memorable Adventures that will
last a Lifetime
By Janet Ho
MHIRT Summer 2007
Research
Center for Health Policy and Public Health
 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
 Length of time: 10 Wks
 My team: Noemi Salantiu, Anca Magyar,
and Georgiana But
 First experience as researchers

What is Trafficking in Persons?
Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act (TVPA)minimum standards
 Department of State’s Definition
 2007 TIP Report

(The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking In Persons, 2007)
(Department of State, 2007)
– Tier
– Tier
– Tier
– Tier
1
2
2 Watch List
3
Human Trafficking in Romania
Law no.678/2001-created to combat all
forms of human trafficking
 Law no. 211/2004- measures whether or
not victims are protected.
 Law no. 211/2005- informs victims of their
rights and offers free legal assistance and
counseling assistance

(Natioanl Agency against Trafficking in Persons, 2006)
Human Trafficking in Romania
(continued)

Sexual exploitation is the most common
form
– 86.1%-2003
– 85%-2004
In 2003 and 2004, women and girls ages
18-25 were the majority of victims
assisted
 Difficulties

(Surtees, 2005)
Methodology
Purpose: offer a comprehensive
description of the current situation in
Romania
 Objective 1:
 Objective 2:
 Objective 3

Interview Methods
Convenience Sample (Cluj County)
 On-site interviews and personal interviews

– Public institutions
– NGOs
– Religious leaders
Romanian/English
 Open-Ended Questions

Results

Outreach and Activities
– NGO’s and Public Institutions

Funding
– Cluj County is not at high risk
– Open to collaboration

Religious Community Response
– Religious leaders: Orthodox and Catholic
Recommendations
Train individuals in well respected positions as well as
individuals working with populations who are at high
risks.
 Include subjects in curricula planning in order to help
educate youth.
 Encourage collaboration among all the major
stakeholders.
 A regional network consisting of various private and
public organizations should collaborate to prevent
human trafficking and assist victims.
 Establish a protocol for the stakeholders who do not
directly work or assist victims.

Recommendations (Cont.)
Encourage government officials to help
strengthen international borders.
 More programs need to be established to
address the most vulnerable populations.
 Professionals are trained to assist victims of
trafficking, but are not training others to assist
victims.
 Promote hotlines to assist families, victims, or
individuals who might encounter a victim.

Theoretical Model
Human
Trafficking
Phases to take action for
stakeholders
Potential
Victim
Prevention
Education
NGOs
Public Institutions
Churches
Victim
Intervention
and Rescuing
NGOs
Public Institutions
Post
Victim
Recovery
NGOs
Public Institutions
Churches
Overall Experience
Research article is being edited and will be
published in the Journal of Global Health
and Health Disparities
 Broad generalization
 Motivation to continue research

Culture
Leisure Activities

International Students
– Botanical garden
– Progressive Dinner
Leisure Activities (cont.)
Running
 Central Park
 Eating out
 Dorm Life
 Cafes
 Transylvania Film Festival

Workshop/Conference

Maternal and Child Health Workshop

Summer Institute for Rural and
Environmental Health
Trips
Bucharest
 Sibiu-European Cultural capital
 Sighisoara
 Bran
 Brashov
 Turda

Pictures from Trips
References




Department of State. (2007). Trafficking in persons report.
Retrieved July 6, 2007, from
http://www.state.gov./g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/
National Agency against Trafficking in Persons. (2006). National
action plan for 2006-2007: For implementing the national
strategy against
trafficking in persons 2006-2010.
Retrieved
on July 6, 2007, from
http://anitp.mai.gov.ro/en/docs/pna%20_en.pdf
Surtees, R. (2005). Second annual report on victims of trafficking in
South-Eastern Europe. Retrieved June 13, 2007, from
http://www.childtrafficking.com
The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. (2007).
Trafficking in persons report. Retrieved October 16, 2007, from
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/86205.htm
Questions???