The ministry of interior on Monday announced the launch of an information campaign against human trafficking aimed at discouraging demand for sexual services from victims.

The main objective of the campaign, ‘Tora Xereis (Now You Know)’, is to inform the public about the criminal responsibility born by anyone proven to be requesting and purchasing services from victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Under a new amendment to the law, penalties for the offence of trafficking, including solicitation of services, carry punishment of up to imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of €50,000.

The ministry said human trafficking is a modern form of slavery and difficult to control, often committed in the context of transnational organised crime.

The International Labor Organization estimates that there are at least 40 million victims of trafficking worldwide, of whom 10 million are children. For every 1,000 adults worldwide, 5.4 are victims of trafficking. Women and girls make up the vast majority of victims.

The public can become informed about human trafficking, how to identify victims and watch the campaign informational video at: www.toraxereis.com/. The specially designated phone line 1497 can be used to seek help or give information anonymously.

The project is co-financed by the European Union Internal Security Fund.