U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Italy

Italy (Tier 1)

Italy is a country of destination and, to a lesser extent, a country of transit for trafficked men, women and children primarily from Albania, Nigeria, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, South America, and Asia. Women and girls are trafficked for prostitution, and some Chinese men are trafficked for forced labor in industry.

The Government of Italy fully complies with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, including making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons with respect to law enforcement, protection of victims, and prevention of trafficking. The government uses a variety of laws to prosecute traffickers, including prohibitions on the exploitation of prostitution, slavery, sexual violence, kidnapping, and assisting the entry of illegal aliens. The government has prosecuted many cases against traffickers. The Ministry of the Interior conducts special training programs to sensitize police to the problem of trafficking. There are many police officers who specialize in handling trafficking cases. In an effort to protect victims, the government provides temporary residence permits, which under certain circumstances can lead to permanent residency. The government funds safe houses and shelters. Halfway houses and independent living accommodations are also provided in many Italian communities. Mobile units provide medical, psychological and social assistance. The government provides funding to foreign and domestic NGOs for projects that assist victims. Through an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate the fight against trafficking, the government engages in many prevention activities, such as a government-sponsored, international organization-conducted radio and television information campaign aimed at potential victims. Posters are placed in metro stops to raise public awareness. The government has a hotline providing information and assistance to victims, and it distributed bumper stickers displaying the hotline number. The government has provided funding for information campaigns conducted in source countries such as Poland and Ukraine. Italy has worked on a development project with Nigeria to prevent trafficking and has donated equipment to help Nigeria catch traffickers. The government has conducted border patrols to stem the flow of trafficking victims into Italy. Italy works closely with regional and international organizations to combat trafficking.