Dalia Puidokiene 27 April, 2014, Padova

KSPSC- A Non-Governmental Organization, established in Centre‘s main activities Complex help (social, psychological, legal, etc.) for women who have suffered any form of domestic violence; Rehabilitation and reintegration support for sexually exploited, prostituted & trafficked women; Suicide prevention and psychological crisis assistance; Anonymous toll free (800) help hotline; Educational and research activities; Preventive trainings (police officers, social workers, youth from risk groups); Organization of voluntary work.

Principles of Support  Holistic and professional attitude  Individual help method for each VOT  Respect of a person’s choice  Giving priority to a person’s benefit rather than the benefit of support providing social or similar organisations, local organisations / institutions  Guaranteeing confidentiality towards the victim  Non-judgemental attitude  Providing transparent information about the present situation and providing support  Evaluation of the concrete situation

THE MODEL OF ASSISTANCE

Women’s helpline The Toll Free (800) women’s help line is Anonymous support for women who are:  Suffering from domestic violence (physical, psychological, sexual, economic)  Human trafficking victims  Suffering from sexual abuse or prostitution  Going through crisis situations in the family  Experiencing difficulties in communication The Women’s helpline has well trained volunteers who take part in constant theoretical and practical trainings. Women’s helpline is organized by: Klaipėda’s Social and Psychological Support Center in Klaipeda & Woman’s Help Woman in Kaunas

Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program for Domestic Violence All information is strictly kept confidential in our rehabilitation programs for women and mothers with children who have suffered any form of domestic violence.  Temporary accommodation and food (housing is anonymous)  Psychological, social and other consultations  Help to recreate relationship with family  Help to get a job or a qualification  Legal, medical and other services  Liaising to clear personal and other documents  Liaising in the juridical institutions

Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program for Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Women Rehabilitation program Temporary accommodation (located in an anonymous place) Food and clothes provision Psychological and social consultation Financial support Liaising to get legal, medical and other services Liaising to get documents Help for a safe return to homeland Reintegration program Psychological and social consultation and support Help to recreate relationship with family and society Help obtaining education or qualification Help to get a job

Sponsors Ministry of Social Security & Labor of the RL The administration of Klaipeda City Municipality European Union funds Private sponsors

Problem of Sexual Exploitation of Women in Lithuania High-incidence and hidden problem of sexual exploitation, increases tendencies in trafficking of women or involvment them into prostitution. Earlier studies indicated various reasons for an emerging prostitution: Less available jobs for women in the job market, Gender discriminatory work compensation policies, High level of unemployment, Influence of the country’s economic situation, Powerful demand for “sexual services”, Low status of females in the society The problem of unequal opportunities for men and women (Acus, 2001; Pruskus, 2010; Ruškus ir kt., 2005). Lack of awareness about the problem, as one of the forms of violence against women and contemporary oppression.

One approach is that prostitution is not part of human trafficking and that women choose prostitution voluntarily, without compulsion. Consequently, this view holds that such women must be controlled to protect them and their health along with the control on criminal activities (Pruskus, 2010; Ruškus, 2005). Another opinion tries to mitigate the prevailing radical view towards women in prostitution by calling them sex workers which, as per this opinion, is less stigmatising than calling them prostitutes (Pruskus, 2010; Čaplinskas & Mårdh, 2001). Yet another, different approach argues that it is not right to consider such women "volunteers", i.e., women who voluntarily opt for such a way of life, but rather that conditional factors pull them into prostitution (Ruškus, 2005). Diverse opinions about trafficking in women for sexual purposes, including prostitution

The governmental policies relevant to the understanding and resolution of the prostitution issue One that most manifests in Lithuania is the prohibitionist legislative model, also known as criminalisation. Amendments and adherence to the country’s legal regulations confirm that such a model prevails. These amendments accent the human rights aspect and the necessity of protecting the human dignity of women who have been drawn into prostitution. Particularly NGO representatives in the country declare and support such aforementioned amendments. The other policy on prostitution that manifests quite clearly in certain European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece and others) is regulationism by which countries see themselves as morally neutral in regard to prostitution. Only some aspects of this model are apparent in Lithuania. Its system is closer to the neoregulationist model. A neoregulationist policy bans brothels and procuring and regulates the activities of individual women in prostitution (Pajumets, 2004, 17).

Thereby prostitution is prohibited in Lithuania; however, despite the prohibition, provisions of sexual services continue to exist. Summaries by police officers and NGOs providing assistance to women in prostitution attest to this. Furthermore the women who come in to test for sexually transmitted diseases also confirm the same. The legal system of the country is much more closely related to an abolitionist policy, which views prostitution as male oppression towards women (though legally it is not validated as violence against women) and identifies procuring and pimping as human trafficking. However, despite the prevailing manifestations of abolitionism, the manifestation of neoabolitionism is felt. According to this view, the women who are drawn into prostitution are considered victims of a patriarchal society, and prostitution is considered a form of abuse against women. Such an approach is especially supported by NGO representatives in Lithuania. An open issue for discussion is how characteristic to the country is the neoabolitionist legal system approach, which gives special emphasis to women’s human rights and the need to protect human dignity.

Perception of Sexual Exploitation in Lithuania Different opinions about women in prostitution come from various, contradictory representations. Prostitution and women in prostitution in our society are considered as existing by two scenarios, relevant to morality and relevant to free choice. The problem is that people believe: “prostitution exploits women, but in fact, women who are prostituted, freely chose it and the exploitation occurs because prostitution in the majority countries is illegal”. The laws of the Republic Lithuania has prohibited women in prostitution and procurers’ activities without interfering with the buying of sex” (Pajumets, 2004). Prostitution “under the laws of the Republic of Lithuania is not a crime but rather an administrative law offense equal to the remunerated use of prostitution services” (Lithuanian HR League/MI, 2007).

Research and Statistics in Lithuania Contemporary studies show that Lithuania is not only a country of export or of transit, but also a country of destination for human trafficking for sexual exploitation purposes, where victims are mostly children and women (Dottridge, 2010); Explicit information about women exploited in prostitution is not clear in Lithuania: A few years ago, the extent of trafficking in women in Lithuania was the highest among the Baltic States (IOM, 2001). There could be about 3,000–10,000 women (Lehti, 2003; IOM, 2005) It was believed that about 2,000–3,000 women from the Baltic countries (about half of them from Lithuania) were trafficked for sexual exploitation (IOM/ISR, 2004). 4,000–6,000 women (Pruskus, 2010).

Programmes for Control and Prevention of THB and Prostitution in Lithuania Ist: 2002–2004 year Iind: 2005–2008 year IIIrd: 2009–2012 year IVth: year

Legislative Framework LR Criminal Code Article Human Trafficking Article – Exploitation of the forced labor Article 157 – Child purchase and trafficking Article 307 – Making a profit from other person’s prostitution Article 307 – Involvement into prostitution LR Code of the Administrative violation Article – Pursuit of prostitution or use of sexual services in exchange for money The 1949 convention forbiding the legalization of prostitution has not been implemented in Lithuania

(8)413 (17) Protocol cases as per Article of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Lithuania ( ) Sources: 1-2. Pruskus, V Reports about the situation of human trafficking in Lithuania, ( )

Victims of human trafficking as per data from three different resources in Lithuania Note: IRD prie VRM – Department of Informatics and Communications (Lithuanian acronym) indicating statistical data on pre-trial investigations of human trafficking victims per the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Article 147 TMO – International Organisation of Migration (Lithuanian acronym) indicating statistical data from the depersonalized data base on victims of human trafficking presented by NGOs SADM – (Lithuanian acronym) Ministry of Social Security and Labour indicating statistical data on present and potential victims of prostitution and human trafficking who received help IRD prie VRM TMO DDB SADM

Legislative Framework Prostitution Prostitution is illegal in the Republic of Lithuania, but it is not a crime. The liability for prostitution is foreseen in Article of the Administrative Code. The penalty for prostitution is a fine from 300 to 500 Litas ( EUR). In the case of repeated sexual services a prostitute is finable from 500 to1000 Litas ( EUR) or is arrested up to 30 days. In the case of repeated sexual services a prostitute is finable from 500 to1000 Litas ( EUR) or is arrested up to 30 days. In 2005, Lithuanian Parliament and the Committee of Human Rights approved the corrections in existing laws ( Article ). The fines are foreseen not only for women, but also for men - ‘ Buyers of sex ’. The ambiguities of the meaning “seeking personal gain” cause difficulty to prove sexual exploitation in court.

The Sex Buyer’s Portrait in Lithuania Below the 25 years of age Lithuanian nationality Employment status: mostly full-time workers and unemployed (one-third of buyers) Mostly single (79%), some- in a relationship (one-fifth) Mostly do not have children (85%) First experience of purchasing sex being at the ages of 18 and 21 years Buy sex being in a group, as a part of a celebration or when travelling with friends First time of purchasing sex was not in Lithuania Alcohol plays a big role in the decision of purchasing sex (65 %) Motivation for purchasing sex: curiosity, sexual frustration, sexual diversity and visibility Purchasing sex - a planned activity

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