NGOs launch broad-based campaign against human trafficking
Slavery is also an issue in Switzerland. To give victims a voice, ten Swiss NGOs have joined forces for the largest multichannel campaign of its kind to date.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), around 40 million people are enslaved worldwide. Every year, around 2.5 million people become new victims of human trafficking - hundreds of them also in Switzerland.
With TV commercials, e-boards, a WebsiteThe alliance of NGOs is using all channels to draw attention to the grievances, including social media posts, a blog, flyers and more. Highlights include a national media conference in the Federal Parliament and a major rally on the Bundesplatz in Bern on September 24, 2022.
Modern slavery and human trafficking have become topical, especially with the war in Ukraine: The Federal Office for Refugees SEM warns against human trafficking among refugees because of the war in Ukraine. Especially during the flight and in the time after arrival in the host countries, women are at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking.
In addition to the well-known sexual exploitation in the red-light milieu, cases of human trafficking are increasingly occurring in other areas of work, such as in cleaning establishments, in the hospitality industry, in the construction sector and in agriculture. "Switzerland is not an ideal world. We raise awareness and mobilize the Swiss population around the issue of human trafficking. Sexual exploitation and labor exploitation happens in our midst. Human trafficking is modern slavery here in Switzerland," is how Ueli Haldemann, campaign manager, describes the goal of the campaign. Crime in Switzerland is on the rise if human trafficking is not combated.
Broad-based campaign
The whole campaign is based on the new website Gegen-menschenhandel.ch. All important information, a blog, a specially composed song "Schweigen darf nicht sein", the media release and pictures are hosted there.
Mobilization takes place via direct channels with NGOs and organizations: In addition to the ten official partners, other organizations have also pledged their idealistic support. Awareness will be raised via social media - YouTube, Facebook and Instagram will be used. Many people will spread texts via their social media accounts and publicize the campaign with large-scale rallies. A TV spot has been played out since Friday and will run for six weeks on SRF 1 and 2 as well as on selected regional stations. In addition, the spot will be shown in abbreviated form on APG e-boards in the eight major Swiss train stations from September 18 to 24, 2022.
The campaign will culminate in a major public rally on Saturday, September 24, 2022, on the Bundesplatz in Bern.
Responsible for Campaign against human trafficking: Ueli Haldemann (campaign manager), Béatrice Käufeler and Barbara Inäbnit (project managers), Gallus Tallheimer (project manager). Responsible at agency b-public: Markus Baumgartner (communication concept, content, media spokesperson), Christian Winiker (content). Responsible for Agency A4: Patrik Frei (director), Brigitte Frei (conception). Responsible for TV commercial production: Joël Brunner (production), Kevin Staub (camera assistant), Stefanie Colombo (make-up artist), Magnolia Joe Good, Sabi Ingold, Gjergj Berisha (actors/actresses). Responsible for the song: Ueli Haldemann (text), Matthias Heimlicher (music and production), Patrik Frei (video production).
