Moldova - page 1 of 0

Located in Eastern Europe, Moldova is a landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine. The country is known for its wine production and its hot and dry summers.

In the past, Moldovans were victims of human trafficking. They were shipped to foreign countries as sex slaves. The victims were often exploited in Turkey, Cyprus and United Arab Emirates.

According to the Center for Prevention of Human Trafficking in Moldova, almost one in every 100 people in Moldova has been victims of trafficking. Many victims don’t know what kind of work they’ll be doing. They are often psychologically manipulated by traffickers. Traffickers promise prosperity in foreign lands. They also beat girls who refuse to obey.

A 22-year-old woman from Northern Moldova, Angela, was forced to work as a prostitute. She said she was sold to other traffickers after being lured by false recruiters. She ended up in the United Arab Emirates via Odesa. She says her family doesn’t know her past. She hopes to have a normal life soon.

In 2010, Moldovan authorities discovered a child sex tourism ring. Girls from Moldova were imported to Turkey in large numbers. The girls were sold to Turkish men in the sex trades. During the sex trades, girls were also sexually abused.

In addition, traffickers sometimes beat girls and blackmail them. Girls who don’t obey are often shot.

There are other factors that contribute to the prevalence of sex trafficking in Moldova. Moldova’s low income and unemployment rate are major factors. This drives young people to seek jobs in other countries.