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The CAT (Christian Action and Networking Against Trafficking in Women)
project was in 2002 launched by churches and church-related agencies. As
part of their work for persons in distress, they are involved in assisting
victims of trafficking and sensitising the public for the issue. The project
is coordinated by the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and
involves Churches, Christian organisations, NGOs, law enforcement and other
public auhorities. It has been financially supported by the EU commission
(DG JLS), the UN and and a variety of Christian organisations.
Main elements of the project in its two phases 2002-2003 and 2003-2005 were:
Cooperation NGO-public authorities
CAT promotes a regular cooperation between NGOs, law enforcement officials
and other practitioners from the public sector (e.g. social department)
across Europe on questions of preventing trafficking, combating trafficking
and assisting the victims of trafficking. In this way it enhances the
professional knowledge and capacity of practitioners. It introduces positive
cooperation models, which already exist (e.g. in North-Rhine Westphalia -
the "Essen model" or the national referral systems in Czech Republic) to a
wider public.
Networking
CAT continuously develops the network of Christian assistance organisations
and their public partners united in the fight against trafficking in women.
Exchange of best practice, information and training
CAT II enabled regular communication and information, exchange and training
activities taking stock of best practice in combating trafficking.
Dissemination and political dialogue
The project feeds the results of the network into the discussion with
political actors (national governments, European institutions, EU expert
group, Intergovernmental organisations). It continously disseminates its
results and recommendations to a wide public via internet, distributing the
brochure with project results and through participation in networking and
follow-up activities on European, national and regional level.
Partners
Partners involved came from EU member states, applicant countries and third
countries in which the issue of Trafficking in Human Beings is of particular
relevance and included actors from NGOs, police and other public bodies. The
project addressed both the situation in countries of origin as well as the
countries of destination (countries of demand).
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