Project Previnera Si Perturbera (PSP)

Between May 2023 and August 2024, STOP THE TRAFFIK implemented Project Previnera Si Perturbera (PSP)—Prevent to Protect in Romanian—to address the alarming prevalence of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) in Romania. The project focused on combating the exploitation of vulnerable young women and girls across the country. Our intelligence team identified Romania as a trafficking hotspot, ranking 46th globally and 20th in Europe and Central Asia for Modern Slavery cases.

Project PSP aimed to uncover the routes and hotspots for sexual exploitation in Romania, specifically focusing on preventing recruitment in high-risk regions and providing actionable insights to law enforcement and Financial Institutions (FIs) to disrupt the operations of Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) involved in trafficking between Romania and the UK.

Targeted Outreach Through Digital Campaigns

To reach individuals most at risk of being trafficked, we employed a data-driven approach using digital geotargeted adverts on social media. In collaboration with local partners and NGOs, we targeted those who are actively sought by traffickers for recruitment into Modern Slavery based on our intelligence findings. Through this digital outreach, we provided at-risk individuals with essential information to help them identify and avoid trafficking situations specific to their environment.

Partnering with Meta, we created tailored advertisements for platforms like Facebook and Instagram, ensuring that our messages reached the right people directly on their social media timelines. This approach allowed us to reach individuals without requiring them to actively seek help, making support accessible where and when they need it most.

At STOP THE TRAFFIK, we firmly believe that ending human trafficking requires collective action. Project PSP exemplifies the power of partnerships in preventing exploitation and protecting vulnerable communities.

Data-sharing and Collective Action

In March 2023, as part of our Power of 10 initiative—a key element of our prevention strategy—we worked with 10 Romanian frontline organisations. Together, we shared and analysed 134 anonymised cases of modern slavery and human trafficking, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Additionally, we partnered with 18 Romanian financial institutions to deepen their understanding of their critical role in disrupting trafficking networks. By equipping them with the tools to identify and respond to suspicious activities, we are making it harder for traffickers to exploit financial systems.

This multi-stakeholder approach underscores the importance of working across sectors to combat human trafficking. Together, we can create a future where no one is vulnerable to exploitation.