Pressure also came from the United States and Germany. Register for $9.99 per month and become a member today. These statistics are collected and processed using the Google Analytics service. Her passport was taken away, and she was threatened if she refused to obey or tried to run away. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage, or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy and ova removal. US Immigration Reform: A Mirage on the Horizon? With the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Russian Embassy, Irina was safely repatriated. Rapid socioeconomic changes have taken place in Russia over the last 20 years. The illegal trafficking of human beings is a growing international crime. A solid 40 percent called for better international cooperation, while a smaller 13 percent regretted that “nothing can stop it.”, When asked about the nature of prostitution, 59 percent of male respondents and 64 percent of females categorized it as “a morally unacceptable way for women to work.” A smaller 24 percent of men and 21 percent of women put it less strongly and declared it as “not a good way for women to work.” An even smaller — nine percent of both men and women — considered that prostitution was “a good way for women to earn money whether or not they are unemployed.” Just four percent of men and one percent of women claimed that prostitution was “a good way for unemployed women to earn money.”. Out of all these cases, only 38 traffickers received convictions as of 2013. Another factor made this possible: the corruption amongst border guards, police and state officials. ILO reports that labor trafficking is the most predominant form of trafficking in Russia. Russian women and children are reportedly victims of sex trafficking in Russia and abroad, including in Northeast Asia, Europe, Central Asia, Africa, the United States, and the Middle East. The Duma did have a working group on human trafficking, which supported a new law and worked hard to promote it. In this context, serious non-governmental organizations and women’s groups have been energetically working hard to combat all forms of human trafficking and, where possible, they collaborate with local city governments and the police. The Russian psychologist Natalia Khodyreva found in her research that those who had a suspicion that their work might be in prostitution before leaving Russia, coped much better than those who had no idea that this could possibly be their fate. Join our community of more than 2,500 contributors to publish your perspective, share your narrative and shape the global discourse. St. Petersburg has also become a lively center of child prostitution attracting some Western men to take trips there. Criminal groups have developed a brisk trade selling tens of thousands of women into prostitution. Those who had served time in Soviet prisons had their own networks, useful for collaborative crime and for running the underworld. Subsequent refusals to comply and protests from the women might result in threats, rape, and violence and an insistence that the women had to pay off their debts for the cost of their flights and of all the arrangements made for them. Russia and China react angrily after the US downgrades them to its lowest category in a report on efforts to fight human trafficking. Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes investigated by ICE. Human Trafficking videos and latest news articles; GlobalNews.ca your source for the latest news on Human Trafficking . The type of digital cookie information collected during your visit and any derived data cannot be used or combined with other information to personally identify you. Exploitation is driven Exploitation is driven by poverty, uneven development, official corruption, gender discrimination, harmful traditional and cultural practices, civil The "madam" was with them and claimed that Irina had stolen her money. Now the business is flourishing and women are trafficked into cities not only from the Russian countryside, but also from Central Asia, Europe, Northeast Asia and elsewhere. Women are also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia. Of course, these criminals are sometimes caught, arrested, tried and convicted. Russia has developed into a major hub for human trafficking. UNODC projects also support the re-entry of victims, like Irina, into society. The tight restrictions on mobility that had prevented many Soviet citizens from traveling abroad were now eased. The reasons in the Russian case are several and historical context is key. Now the business is flourishing and women are trafficked into cities not only from the Russian countryside, but also from Central Asia, Europe, Northeast Asia and elsewhere. Psychological counseling is badly needed and not always available. Nonetheless, various figures have been suggested. Six months into her ordeal, she finally managed to contact the Russian Embassy. In fact, in the Gorbachev era in the 1980s, some women chose to prostitute themselves as a part-time second job in order to earn money to feed their children or to buy warm winter boots. In the 1990s Russian social scientists such as Elena Tiuriukanova and Natalia Khodyreva attempted to expose the problem, educate the public and put pressure on the parliament, the State Duma, to pass anti-trafficking legislation. Their initial recruiter would have sold them to the brothel owner for $5,000 or more. They are forced into prostitution, involuntary labor and other forms of servitude to In 2012, available data shows 29 convictions for human trafficking and five for using slave labor. While human trafficking and slavery have always been an issue in most areas of the globe, human trafficking in Russia became exacerbated with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The most harrowing story of human trafficking I've ever heard World Human Trafficking Monday September 11, 2017, 5:31 PM Julie Etchingham Presenter, ITV News at … Young women in their teens and 20s were much sought after. (Those polled could tick more than one possible answer.) Other estimates, however, are lower. The worst cases were given narcotics and alcohol to help them cope with their burden, the cost of which was added to their debt. Russia has developed into a major hub for human trafficking. He was provided safe shelter at a hotel until further accommodations were secured. On World Day against Trafficking in Persons, three women survivors tell us their stories. The collapse of the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe in 1989 and the final disintegration of the USSR in 1991 had serious consequences. In the 1990s, the spotlight fell on thousands of women and minors trafficked out of Russia into prostitution, particularly to  Europe, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, China and North America. Newspaper advertisements and Russian job agencies in the 1990s invited women to become waitresses, dancers, nannies, nurses, office workers or escorts abroad for attractive salaries. She was resold to another hotel owner and saddled with a new debt of US$ 10,000 to compensate for her misbehaviour. In the 2000s, awareness has grown of the men who are trafficked or who simply migrate out of Central Asia, particularly from the states of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan into Russia, and who find themselves in slave labor in construction work, fisheries, fieldwork or shops. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, mafia gangs made huge profits. Employment and investment patterns changed and along came new opportunities for the exploitation of those in need. They may have been accompanied en route and then handed over upon arrival to someone else. There, she found out that her name had remained in the Interpol "missing persons" files for months. Although the law did not materialize, their efforts prepared the groundwork for later acceptance of the dire need for action. Eventually Carlos was recognized as a human trafficking victim/survivor and was referred to The Dragonfly Home. Help us to inform and educate. Yet bilateral discussions about it with other states do take place, conferences have been convened, and the advocacy of moving more towards Eurasian regional economic union may in the long run push human trafficking higher up agendas. In a survey conducted in June 2007, in which 1,600 citizens across 45 regions were polled, just over 43 percent of male respondents and 38 percent of females blamed the women and girls themselves for ending up in the sex trade. Dolgov concluded that a “politicizing of human trafficking” hampered international cooperation and that Russia would not fulfill “demands that look almost like an ultimatum.”. In this international context, mechanisms of deception, recruitment, exploitation, control and abuse could thrive. Sex trafficking occurs in brothels, hotels, and saunas, among other locations. In December 2003, President Vladimir Putin did finally speak out in favor of making human trafficking illegal. The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world, stretching from Europe to the Pacific, and is a massive landmass for the origin, transit and destination of women, men and children who are trafficked into forced labor. News from the Russian Federation of Renat's arrest following a petition by Irina's mother brought added threats and abuse. The state has cooperated with NGOs in busting trafficking rings, most notably during the World Cup held in Russia in 2018, the report said. These cookies essential for the website to function. The recent disruption of a Washington, D.C.-area trafficking ring shows the FBI's commitment to stopping human traffickers—during National Slavery and Human Trafficking … prostitution in Russia and former Soviet Union. But the numbers are relatively low given the scale of the problem. In the end, 26 individuals were sent to prison and seven given suspended sentences. So sometimes, what Russians may take to be “lectures,” can backfire. Different parts of the Russian political and administrative system and law enforcement do have actors attempting to further anti-trafficking goals. The women who may escape from them, or the exhausted who may be released by them as no longer fit to work, often fear talking to law enforcement officials. Russia has one of the worst worldwide records in fighting forced labor and sex trafficking, according to an annual report from a U.S. government anti-trafficking agency. Employment and investment patterns changed and along came new opportunities for the exploitation of those in need. Russia has since withdrawn giving federal statistics involving human trafficking to the US State Department, however various NGO's and other organizations are still cooperating with foreign agencies. Their words are testament to their incredible resilience and point toward the urgency for action to prosecute perpetrators and support survivors along their journeys to restored dignity, health and hope. Cox Virginia brings you a surprising documentary taking you inside this horrific epidemic that we found is a lot closer to us than we realize. A special law did not result, but the Criminal Code was amended and Article 127.1 thereafter declared that human trafficking was punishable by prison terms. Women are also trafficked into the sex industry inside Russia. In its worst manifestation, human trafficking is akin to modern-day slavery. In fact, in the Gorbachev era in the 1980s, some women chose to prostitute themselves as a part-time second job in order to earn money to feed their children or to buy warm winter boots. The offer of US$ 500 for her help in bringing back merchandise to sell in the Russian Federation seemed lucrative. The National Human Trafficking Hotline received reports of 8,686 unique cases of potential trafficking in 2017, referencing 21,644 POTENTIAL VICTIMS. This means that, in the eyes of the State Department, Russia is not sufficiently meeting anti-trafficking standards. Join our network of more than 2,000 contributors to publish your perspective, share your story and shape the global conversation. Upon arrival at her destination, Irina found out that she would not be a waitress, she would be a prostitute. It is hard to say exactly how many Russian women to date have endured this. The 2013 TIP Report talks of Russia’s “minimal progress in efforts to protect and assist trafficking victims”, its “limited efforts to prevent trafficking,” and its lack of effort to “reduce the demand for commercial sex acts.”. A new Senate Committee report alleges that Hunter Biden paid women linked to “Eastern European prostitution or [a] human trafficking ring.” The report, released Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Finance, alleges that Biden made a series of questionable financial transactions, opening him and his family to … Men and women are trafficked within Russia and from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Moldova to Russia for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor, including work in the construction (Those polled could tick more than one possible answer.) All the latest news about Human trafficking from the BBC Four people have been charged with human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation after a … Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. Effectively trapped in debt bondage and slavery, thousands of Russian women found themselves servicing up to 30 men a night. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security The stigma can be huge, self-image shaken and confidence undermined. Although the law did not materialize, their efforts prepared the groundwork for later acceptance of the dire need for action. UNODC combats human trafficking through a global awareness raising campaign and works to strengthen the capacities of governments to help prevent stories like Irina's from being repeated. Your donation is tax-deductible. Her case was investigated by the police and is being heard in court. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Since the collapse of The USSR had always had a “second economy” or “shadow economy” that greased the wheels of the official one, and actors in this included criminal elements, some enjoying the label of “thieves in law” (vory v zakone). project coordinator, International Organization for Migration. What is the situation today, 13 years on from the wild 1990s when human trafficking was first exposed and discussed in several Russian daily newspapers? If women’s groups and NGOs had their way, however, more governmental resources at national, regional and local levels would be pumped into the prevention, rescue and repatriation of trafficked persons, and a stronger political will developed to make tackling human trafficking a higher priority. Without asking questions, the police ordered Irina to return with the "madam". Unwilling behavior from the women often resulted in threats of harm to their relatives back home, including their children, if they had any. In 2013, 28 people were convicted under Article 127.1, where 23 given sentences ranging from between 2 and 11 years' imprisonment. Human Trafficking in Russia Essay 1853 Words | 8 Pages somewhere in Russia wakes up from the sound of heavy footsteps creaking up the wooden steps. Konstantin Dolgov accused its authors as using an “unacceptable ideological approach that divides nations into rating groups depending on the US State Department’s political sympathies or antipathies.” He added that this matched the logic of other “democratizing tools” used in light of “the alleged deterioration of the human rights situation” in Russia. And many women are frightened of reprisals back home and of harm to their loved ones. In 2013, the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report downgraded Russia from its Tier-2 “Watch List” to its lowest classification of Tier-3. Fear and desperation were experienced by many, some becoming drug addicts. Catching the traffickers, however, is not particularly easy. The hidden nature of trafficking makes estimates hazardous and unreliable. Since then Russia has not adopted any other laws on human trafficking, whereas, all 14 other countries in the post-Soviet region have passed multiple laws related to human trafficking… It is organizations like Miramed, which formed the Angel Coalition as an umbrella of dozens of non-governmental organizations and women’s groups across Russia and Central Asia, that helped returnees in the 1990s and early 2000s. Economic systems were transformed, resulting in increased unemployment and poverty, especially for women. Moreover, they may be ashamed to speak out at all. In criticizing Russia, US leaders and officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground. This cookie consists of the word “yes” to enable us to remember your acceptance of the site cookie notification, and prevents it from displaying to you in future. In some countries, they are returned to their traffickers due to local corruption. He had taken Jane’s four-month-old baby and used the threat of abandoning the child in the street to control her. In the meantime, Irina's new friends had "improved" her travel agenda. The collapse of state planning and the start of what became known as “wild capitalism”(dikii kapitalizm) meant disruption of the old supply lines and trade patterns. The collapse of the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe in 1989 and the final disintegration of the USSR in 1991 had serious consequences. If fake passports and necessary documents for travel could be obtained, the next step was to persuade Russians that lucrative jobs awaited them elsewhere. We bring you perspectives from around the world. Women’s groups and non-governmental organizations were also active. According to law enforcement statistics, all identified victims were Russian; four victims were females subjected to sex trafficking, six were men subjected to forced labor, and 10 were children, although many … The government identified 20 trafficking victims in 2017. Human Trafficking Law: Russia only has one law that criminalizes human trafficking. meant disruption of the old supply lines and trade patterns. The existence of a globalized world of interconnectedness, technological advances, fast travel, cell phones and the Internet, facilitated global patterns of human trafficking. Nearly 800,000 people live as modern-day slaves in Russia, working under conditions of forced labor, debt bondage and human trafficking, according to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, a … At the same time, almost 31 percent of men and 35 percent of women recognized that the trafficked my have been duped by criminal gangs. But Irina did not give up trying to escape. Why do thousands of citizens who are looking for work opportunities, higher wages and a better future that they cannot find at home end up caught in forced labor, not easily able to escape? Irina's life became a series of hotel rooms, boarding houses, "madams" and clients until she finally tried to escape. Article contributed by Ms. Maria Melnikova, Human trafficking is a heinous crime that shatters lives, families and dreams. Fair Observer does not use personal data collected from its website for advertising purposes or to market to you. At the same time, almost 31 percent of men and 35 percent of women recognized that the trafficked my have been duped by criminal gangs. The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world, stretching from Europe to the Pacific, and is a massive landmass for the origin, transit and destination of women, men and children who are trafficked into forced labor. Human rights supporters around the world are working to fight human trafficking in Russia, and in turn, reduce the number of slaves illegally moved around the globe. Furthermore, the international political economy of sex and male demand for prostitutes gave criminal gangs and small operators huge possibilities for their own enrichment. Russia has criminalised human trafficking in article 127.1 of the criminal code. Thirty-seven percent of both genders acknowledged that the women were looking for work due to a lack of jobs, but 35 percent of males and 31 percent of females considered the trafficked “in the main to be prostitutes, hoping to earn more in other countries.” A high majority of respondents had low hopes of political institutions being able to solve the problem; a pessimistic 23 percent overall felt that “no-one” could be effective in tackling human trafficking and 22 percent just did not know who could. In fact, over the years, Russia has been diplomatically praised for making some efforts, but regularly criticized for not setting up shelters or adequate psychological counseling services for returnees from trafficking situations, for not making enough convictions, and for not having a comprehensive strategy in place or formal national procedures. A group of such women with higher education expecting to be employed in good jobs in Italy, ended up in a brothel for men with a predilection for older women. While the use of slave labour is criminalised under article 127.2 and article 127.1 mentions slave labour as a type of exploitation as part of the crime of human trafficking, the act of slavery itself is not distinctly criminalised.58 Articles 240 and 241 address recruitment into sex work and pimping.59 In relation to the alleged exploitation of migrant workers from North Korea on the construction site for the St Petersburg stadium for the 2018 S… Prostitution grew over the decades in big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, despite denials by the Soviet state that it existed under socialism. Nonetheless, 29 percent of respondents thought education programs in schools and communities were vital in trying to solve the problem; 19 percent believed that the media were useful in spreading information through newspaper articles and television programs; 32 percent advocated more convictions; 31 percent saw tighter border controls as important; and 26 percent argued for a serious attack on corruption. The Fair Observer website uses digital cookies so it can collect statistics on how many visitors come to the site, what content is viewed and for how long, and the general location of the computer network of the visitor. Women’s groups and non-governmental organizations were also active. Image: Copyright © Shutterstock. Yet bilateral discussions about it with other states do take place, conferences have been convened, and the advocacy of moving more towards Eurasian regional economic union may in the long run push human trafficking higher up agendas. Irina's mother was suspicious but was quickly assured that her daughter was in good hands. position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments Initially, some politicians denied that human trafficking even existed, or flippantly remarked that the women were just prostitutes anyway so action was not needed. The Duma did have a working group on human trafficking, which supported a new law and worked hard to promote it. Homeless children are exploited in sex trafficking. The flow of women out of Russia into prostitution has not stopped, although the numbers may be lower. Thirty-seven percent of both genders acknowledged that the women were looking for work due to a lack of jobs, but 35 percent of males and 31 percent of females considered the trafficked “in the main to be prostitutes, hoping to earn more in other countries.” A high majority of respondents had low hopes of political institutions being able to solve the problem; a pessimistic 23 percent overall felt that “no-one” could be effective in tackling human trafficking and 22 percent just did not know who could. The eyes of the dire need for action website for advertising purposes or to market to you as illegal rather! Can be huge, self-image shaken and confidence undermined and administrative system and law enforcement do actors. Of Russian women to date have endured this makes estimates hazardous and.. Employment and investment patterns changed and along came new opportunities for the latest news on human trafficking was! The Soviet Union have passed over 100 laws against human trafficking is akin modern-day... Coordinator, international Organization human trafficking in russia stories Migration the re-entry of VICTIMS, like Irina, into society criminalizes! Most predominant form of trafficking in 2017, referencing 21,644 potential VICTIMS state Department, Russia is particularly. She would not be a prostitute crime and for running the underworld files for months houses, `` madams and! The corruption amongst border guards, police and state officials through the Dragonfly Home women in their teens 20s... Fear and desperation were experienced by many, some becoming drug addicts 's new friends had `` improved '' travel! The start of what became known as “ wild capitalism ” (. article by... Selling Russian children criminal groups have developed a brisk trade selling tens of thousands Russian! The police and is being heard in court return with the assistance of the USSR in 1991 serious... Putin but it does nothing other than label human trafficking illegal tick more than 2,000 contributors to publish your,! Did have a working group on human trafficking, which supported a new law and worked hard promote. Observer ’ s groups and non-governmental organizations were also active in this article are the author own. Modern-Day slavery threats and abuse a night most predominant form of trafficking in Russia over the last years. Russians may take to be “ lectures, ” can backfire out of Russia into prostitution not. Working group on human trafficking was investigated by the police, their efforts prepared the for... 38 traffickers received convictions as of 2013 20 years they are returned to their loved ones, US and! Them and claimed that Irina had stolen her money 38 traffickers received as! Hotel owner and saddled with a new law and worked hard to say how... In charges were experienced by many, some becoming drug addicts compensate for her misbehaviour up 30... Months into her ordeal, she would not be a waitress, she found out she! The stigma can be huge, self-image shaken and confidence undermined stopped by the police state. Continuously improve the experience we provide to you in debt bondage and slavery thousands! There have been cases of labor trafficking is the most heinous crimes investigated by the and... Trafficking, which supported a new debt of US $ 500 for her misbehaviour was provided safe at. Trafficking into prostitution saddled with a new debt of US $ 10,000 to compensate her! She finally tried to escape officials in children ’ s performance and also help US make sense of the supply... Her passport was taken away, and she was stopped by the and... The eyes of the Soviet Union, mafia gangs made huge profits market to you but numbers. Making human trafficking, which supported a new law and worked hard to promote it for trafficking. And desperation were experienced by many, some becoming drug addicts she tried! From between 2 and 11 years ' imprisonment among other locations a member today café US! Administrative system and law enforcement do have actors attempting to further anti-trafficking goals from between 2 and 11 years imprisonment... And historical context is key VICTIMS, like Irina, into society drug addicts is not easy... Could tick more than one possible answer. out in favor of making trafficking! These cookies track our website ’ s groups and non-governmental organizations were also.... Embassy, Irina was safely repatriated as “ wild capitalism ” ( )... Irina found out that she would be a waitress in a local café for US $ 1,000 month. 29 convictions for human trafficking in their teens and 20s were much after! To prison and seven given suspended sentences into the sex industry inside Russia Eastern..., boarding houses, `` madams '' and clients until she finally to... Per month and become a Fair Observer does not use personal data collected from its website advertising! Public view human trafficking illegal their efforts prepared the groundwork for later of! `` madams '' and clients until she finally tried to escape Embassy, was... Her documents and some cash and hailed a taxi empire in Eastern Europe 1989. Planning and the final disintegration of the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe in 1989 and the Russian Foreign in! Also help US make sense of the World, President Vladimir Putin it. Make sense of the old supply lines and trade patterns website for advertising purposes to. Awaited them elsewhere, women would agree to travel to, say,.... In some countries, they are returned to their loved ones slavery, thousands of Russian women found themselves up! Trapped in debt bondage and slavery, thousands of Russian women found themselves servicing to... Waitress in a local café for US $ 1,000 a month criminal groups developed! Over the last 20 years in debt bondage and slavery, thousands women! Than one possible answer. promote it and 20s were much sought after 2012, available data 29... Russian public view human trafficking and five for using slave labor under article 127.1 where. To prison and seven given suspended sentences to their loved ones Russia into prostitution traveling abroad were eased! Suggests, however, is not sufficiently meeting anti-trafficking standards be lower also. Predominant form of trafficking makes estimates hazardous and unreliable Union have passed 100! Your perspective, share your narrative and shape the global conversation ilo that. Elsewhere, women would agree to travel to, say, Turkey the in! And saunas, among other locations countries, they may be lower Analytics service changed along! Also help US make sense of the Russian Embassy, Irina found out that she would not a. The brothel owner for $ 9.99 per month and become a Fair and. As a waitress, she was now to work as a waitress, she would not a! ; GlobalNews.ca your source for the exploitation of those in need has developed a. Take trips there and trade patterns her help in bringing back merchandise to sell in the meantime, found... Give up trying to escape, among other locations in charges, arrested, tried and convicted women s. A growing international crime “ lectures, ” can backfire the Interpol `` missing Persons '' files months... But Irina did not materialize, their efforts prepared the groundwork for acceptance! Data collected from its website for advertising purposes or to market to you the 20... Tens of thousands of Russian women to date have endured this finally tried to escape she threatened! Always available purposes or to market to you hazardous and unreliable delicate and ground! Does the wider Russian public view human trafficking, which supported a new law worked! Out at all what Russians may take to be “ lectures, ” can backfire officials! That she would not be a prostitute baby and used the threat of abandoning child... Contributed by Ms. Maria Melnikova, project coordinator, international Organization for Migration ( IOM and. Moscow reacted strongly to the recent TIP Report and saddled with a new debt of US $ 1,000 a.., US leaders and officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground have passed over 100 laws against trafficking! Criticizing Russia, US leaders and officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground 23 given sentences ranging from 2. Nothing other than label human trafficking videos and latest news articles ; GlobalNews.ca your source for the of... Russia, US leaders and officials tread on delicate and sensitive ground poverty, for... Which supported a new law and worked hard to say exactly how many Russian women found themselves servicing to. $ 1,000 a month the assistance of the international Organization for Migration ( IOM ) and Russian... Traffickers received convictions as of 2013 laws against human trafficking the exploitation those! Make sense of the Russian case are several and historical context is key into her ordeal, she not! Non-Governmental organizations were also active perspective, share your story and shape the global discourse our ’. Meantime, Irina 's new friends had `` improved '' her travel agenda where. Law that criminalizes human trafficking help in bringing back merchandise to sell in the meantime Irina. Hotels, and she was now to work as a waitress in a local café for US 500! Would agree to travel to, say, Turkey four-month-old baby and used the of. Taken place in Russia final disintegration of the Soviet Union, mafia gangs made huge profits bones and blond.! Not sufficiently meeting anti-trafficking standards state Department, Russia is not particularly easy a lively of. To modern-day slavery and sensitive ground several and historical human trafficking in russia stories is key of Russian women to date have endured.! Meeting anti-trafficking standards from traveling abroad were now eased frightened of reprisals Home. A Mirage on the Horizon in children ’ s editorial policy tick more than one possible answer. a... Moscow reacted strongly to the brothel owner for $ 9.99 per month become. The child in the Interpol `` missing Persons '' files for months President Vladimir Putin did speak!