1. Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms on Human Trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region
Expert Conference on Forced Labour Exploitation and Counter Trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region
07./ Oslo, Norway

2. TF-THB: Strategic Activities 2008-2010
Training Seminars on human trafficking for diplomatic and consular personnel in cooperation with the IOM
Joint Project with the UNODC on Fostering NGO-Law Enforcement Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in, from and to the Baltic Sea Region
Information Campaign against Trafficking in Human Beings
Improved Data Collection and Support to Research
Research Seminar “The Nexus Between Research and Operative Work“
“Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms on Human Trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region“

3. Why Improved Data Collection?
Increase of counter-trafficking activities in the Baltic Sea Region, but one of major remaining challenges:
Lack of comparable and comprehensive statistical knowledge on various aspects of human trafficking

4. Why Improved Data Collection?
Why limitations in current data collection:
Human trafficking cases remain unreported and undiscovered
Low priority to the fight against human trafficking
Lack of resources
Data is not collected on a regular basis and/or only on specific forms and specific groups
Data is not collected by all actors, not exchanged and not fed into one general national database

5. Why Improved Data Collection?
Deficient and inaccurate data collection hinder the:
Development of effective and well-targeted prevention
and protection mechanisms
Creation of appropriate and successful strategies
against traffickers
Generation of suitable criminal justice responses to
fight the crime
Evaluation of strategies and policies against human trafficking

6. Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms in the Baltic Sea Region
A number of projects recently initiated to address data collection mechanisms on human trafficking, however, as yet, no mapping of data collection mechanisms in the Baltic Sea Region

7. Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms in the Baltic Sea Region
Based on “Guidelines for the Collection of Data on Trafficking in Human Beings, including Comparable Indicators“
Guidelines provide information about the type of data which should be collected by states on the:
victims
traffickers
criminal justice responses; and
trafficking process

8. Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms in the Baltic Sea Region
Minimum set of data suggested by the Guidelines used to create questionnaires
Sent to TF-THB Delegates to assess what, by whom and how data is collected on the victims, the traffickers, the trafficking process and the criminal justice responses
Evaluate how far the national mechanisms on data collection reflect the suggestions from the Guidelines
Desk-top studies
Interviews

9. Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms in the Baltic Sea Region
Identify, systematise and analyse existing information on data collection on human trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region
Address existing knowledge gaps and produce a clear overview on how, by whom and which data is currently collected in the 11 CBSS Member States
Make recommendations for improvements to governmental institutions and NGOs in the region

10. Hard Data: Best Practices
Enhanced efforts to gather data on various aspects of human trafficking and priority given to this field in NAPs / equivalent national strategies
Setting up of specialised databases / systems to address data collection
National Rapporteurs are not widely established in the Region, but data collection and analysis through other institutions

11. Hard Data: Problem Areas (1)
Availability of Data:
The lack of data categories collected
Data being collected unsystematically – only specific years or periods
Data not being published
Most of the data available concerns human trafficking for sexual exploitation
Data is collected and published by various actors on a national level – often not compiled in one comprehensive report

12. Hard Data: Problem Areas (2)
Availability of Data:
Limited information on:
Assistance to victims of human trafficking (refused or declined);
Information regarding compensation (5 out of 11 countries do not collect any information regarding this category)
Result of: Focus in anti-trafficking policies is still on prosecution – victims are seldom seen as subjects with own agency and legal claims
In contrast: Seven countries out of 11 collect and publish all information on investigation started and completed, another two collect but do not publish all information

13. Hard Data: Problem Areas (3)
Transparency of data:
Data on specific aspects is collected, but not published (e.g., data on the trafficking process, victims testifying in court or cooperating with law enforcement)
When data is not published in the public domain, it is not always possible to verify whether categories are collected in practice
Remaining questions about regulation of exchange of data between actors
Language barriers (although additional burden)

14. Hard Data: Problem Areas (4)
Comparability of data:
Use of different terms and categories by which data is collected in the CBSS Member States (e.g. victims: presumed victims, victims identified by NGOs or police or during official identification procedures etc.)
Different time periods for which data is collected and/or published
The availability of disaggregated statistics

15. Hard Data: THB Forced Labour
With the introduction of specific provisions criminalising THB for forced labour and / or a stronger focus concerning this problem, there are developments to collect data on this form of exploitation
Examples: Germany, Norway, Sweden

16. Hard Data: THB Forced Labour
Still most data is available on human trafficking for sexual exploitation
Until recently: focus on human trafficking for sexual exploitation (assistance schemes; capacity building measures; research etc.)

17. Hard Data: Recommendations
Enhance efforts to collect publish and exchange data on victims, traffickers, trafficking process and criminal justice responses
Amplify data collection to include qualitative data
Establish National Rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms
Stronger focus on trafficking in human beings for other forms of exploitation in addition to the established focus on sexual exploitation
Safeguard human and financial resources for data collection
Data collection mechanisms should be in line with existing standards to protect the right to data confidentiality

18. Hard Data: Concluding Remarks
Data collection vs. primary task of service provision and case management (also: challenging role service provider and researcher in one person)
Standardised data collection and comprehensive counter trafficking strategies can only be established with political will, with a long term perspective and with adequate human and financial resources
Data collection embedded within political, local and historical circumstances (concepts/categories differently understood between countries, regions, cultural boundaries)
Identified and assisted – and the rest? Seek alternative sources of information

19. Thank you! marta.bociek@gmail.com www.cbss.org/tfthb www.safetrip.se