Fifth Chapter: Activities of NGOs
Only recently more NGOs became aware of the phenomenon of trafficking although it has been existing for several years already.
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The coalition of organizations against trafficking in women that was created by the sociologist Esther Eylam and by the activist Linda S., founder of the NGO "Anachnu Shavot" (We are worthy) after the 1997 report, written by Martina Vandenberg from Global Survival Network for the Israel Women Network (IWN) still exists but, since it deals only with the issue of trafficking and does not relate to the organized system of prostitution (pimps and procurers), its work is reduced only to sporadic public awareness campaigns. Hotline for Migrant Workers, Atzum and IshaLe`Isha (Woman to Woman) are members of this Coalition.
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Kol HaIsha (Feminist Center in Jerusalem) - started to work on the issue through a team that maps the prostitution scene of the city in collaboration with Machon Toda`a.
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Isha LeIsha - (Feminist Center in Haifa) has prepared a program of training of officials that are in contact with trafficked women in northern Israel, but says that it is hard to sell it to the northern police stations. They are the official visitors that are allowed to enter the compound in Hadera but only once a week. They are in contact with NGOs in the countries of origin and prepare a visit Israel for those NGOs. A training tour for high officials from Russia and other eastern european countries is being prepared.
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Hotline for Migrant Workers continues its activities as a center of legal assistance for trafficked women in detention. It also brings many stories to the media and promotes public awareness through lectures and seminars. (Hot Line for Migrant Workers published in April 2004 a report on the clients.
http://www.hotline.org.il/hebrew/pdf/Clients_Report_Heb.pdf
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ATZUM - Justice works is a new NGO which has been active during 2004 . The Task Force on Human Trafficking has many projects and programs designed to affect trafficking policy on a national level. This year's efforts include:
Grassroots Activism - The Task Force on Human Trafficking coordinated a protest rally to demonstrate growing public concern about the phenomenon of human trafficking.
Public Awareness - The Task Force has engaged in varied efforts to increase public awareness about human trafficking, including collaborate projects with several Israeli learning institutions. In addition, the Task Force has been working with Jewish communities in the US to make them aware of this phenomenon and to encourage them to exert their influence on Israeli policy.
Lobbying - The Task Force has been writing letters and convening meetings with key government officials to solicit their support in the fight against human trafficking. In addition, active suggestions have been made to Ministers and other prominent people with the authority to impact public policy regarding trafficking victims and resource-distribution.
Advocacy - The Task Force also handles a limited number of legal cases, representing victims on civil matters in Israeli courts.
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ELEM (an organization that assists minors in distress) has started two years ago a program to help commercially sexually exploited youth to leave prostitution. A day care center was opened in 2003 in the area of "Gan Hachashmal" and a specific hotline for youth in prostitution was established in 2004.
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Awareness Center is collaborating with the parliamentary committee of MK Zehava Galon regularly and is requested to give lectures in the Universities as well as continuous work with NGO`s to promote the Abolitionist philosophy. In order to promote the abolitionist philosophy Awareness Center issues articles in Hebrew that are distributed through Internet to the whole country. In October 2002 the center organized the 33rd Conference of the IAF (International Abolitionist Federation) -
"Pornography, Prostitution and War" in the Tel-Aviv Cinematheque. In October 2003 the center organized with Isha Le Isha and Rape Crisis Centers two conferences, one in the Tel Aviv Cinematheque on 31/10/2003 "Legalization of Prostitution?" and another in the Haifa Cinematheque on 5/11/2003 around the film "Lilija 4-ever" by Lucas Moodysson which was brought to Israel with the assistance of the Embassy of Sweden. Since September 2004 Awareness Center expands its scope and with Keren Yedaya collaborating to create a support system in persons who wish to escape their life in prostitution.
