Former U.S. Ambassador Heather M. Hodges Speeches

Remarks delivered by Ambassador Heather M. Hodges at the National Committee for Combating Trafficking Meeting

June 24, 2004

Last September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Bush announced a $50 million initiative "to support the good work of organizations that are rescuing women and children from exploitation, and giving them shelter and medical treatment and the hope of a new life." $5 million of this initiative has been allocated to help expand Moldova's capacity to combat trafficking. Over the last few months, in consultation with the Government of Moldova, we have been developing new programs that will help prevent trafficking, protect trafficking victims, and prosecute those responsible. Today I would like to highlight three of the things we are working on.

Most of you have seen the film "Lilya 4-ever," which is about a young girl who is left alone in the world with no practical skills and no support structures to help her succeed in society. The scenario this film depicts is the reality many young people face -- especially those coming out of boarding schools and orphanages. They have no life skills, no job training, and no means to support themselves. Like Lilya, they are especially vulnerable to the empty promises of traffickers, who deceive them with the lure of a better life abroad. As part of President Bush's anti-trafficking initiative, we are working to create ten "halfway houses" throughout Moldova that will provide safe and affordable living environments for these vulnerable young people and returned trafficking victims. At these facilities, residents will receive life-skills and job training, as well as practical work experience -- providing them with a support structure and equipping them with the skills they need to successfully integrate or reintegrate into the community.

We must also assure that Moldova's capacity to prosecute traffickers is expanded and augmented. In the recently published Trafficking in Persons report of the Department of State Moldova is listed in Tier II. In the future, however, Moldova will need to show greater progress or risk falling into Tier III. In many countries, including in the United States, we have seen the capability of investigators and prosecutors to successfully prosecute trafficking in persons and related crimes enhanced when information, resources, and expertise are shared. We are working with the Government of Moldova to implement this type of collaboration here -- by creating a specialized center that will include personnel from various relevant departments, helping them to work together, to share their knowledge and experience, and to more effectively investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes.

The information a victim-witness can provide is often a major factor in a successful criminal case against a trafficker; but many returned victims refuse to talk to the police or serve as a witness for fear of their safety and that of their families. Consequently, together with the OSCE, we are developing effective victim-witness protection measures to assist victims throughout investigation and legal proceedings and to provide for their physical and psychological protection. Measures such as court security, police escorts, and access to counseling and protection while participating in criminal procedures will be the first step. Later we hope to develop more extensive measures -- such as identity protection, secure housing, and third country relocation of the trafficked person.

I commend you for the great strides Moldova has made in the fight against trafficking in persons, but much remains to be done. As President Bush said at the UN General Assembly, "the trade in human beings for any purpose must not be allowed to thrive in our time." The Government of Moldova, the international community, and civil society must all intensify our efforts, because Moldova's social and economic future depends on ridding Moldova of this plague. Thank you.