Police pledge to halt human trafficking

THE National Police force is to further reinforce its efforts to combat human trafficking in Spain. 

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jorge Fernandez Diaz, has unveiled new plans to raise awareness amongst citizens and reduce demand in the sex industry, with the aim of eliminating the scourge of human trafficking, which moves around €5 million per day and turns thousands of women into slaves. 

Mr Fernandez explained that the fight against human sexual trafficking is a national priority, which police have been directly tackling since 2013, and is now entering into its second phase.

General Director of the Spanish National Police, Ignacio Cosido, announced an increased pressure on clients of prostitution, “until it is made unbearable.”  

This second phase of the campaign will mainly target potential clients, raising awareness amongst them, and focusing more on victims to stop them from being invisible.  

“The goals are plenty and highly ambitious,” said Mr Fernandez, who explained that the government has committed to turning Spain into an international point of reference in terms of combating prostitution and human trafficking, as well as street safety. 

Amongst the measures set to be taken are, for instance, increased sanctions for those customers soliciting prostitution near school centres or on hard shoulders. 

In addition, awareness campaigns through media will be launched, as well as ‘emergency messages’ which will pop up on internet browsers if certain key words are introduced. Alongside work with the general public, students in particular will be targeted through talks and conferences. 

During the first phase of the programme, launched in April 2013, 1,450 people were arrested in 465 police interventions, which identified 11,751 victims and confiscated more than €22 million.