"The Unknown"

On December 3, 2007 at the Rodina theatre in downtown Vinnytsia, there was a special one-time screening of the 2006 Italian film by Giuseppe Tornatore, "The Unknown," about a Ukrainian woman who was a victim of human trafficking, which was considered for the 2008 Academy Awards in the category of Best Foreign Film.

Before the film presentation from 4-6 pm in the Theater "Rodina" in downtown Vinnytsia, there was a one-hour press conference from 3-4 pm, which was very well attended. The theater of 200+ had standing-room only, so we estimate there were about 250 there, mostly young people from local universities & educational institutions. There were also two local TV stations (as well as radio) to report on the press conference, which consisted of a series of 6 short presentations about the problem of human trafficking.

Peace Corps volunteer, Virginia Lee Roberts, gave a short speech about human trafficking in Ukraine, the text of which follows:

"Human trafficking of women has become a significant problem worldwide, and especially in Ukraine. Please allow me to quote some facts from a paper written by Olga Pyshchulina of Ukraine's Association for Humanitarian Initiatives, to give you an idea of the scale of this problem. The paper is titled, "Human Trafficking in Ukraine & a Perspective on its Prevention."

"The United Nations estimates that 4 million people are trafficked each year, resulting in $7 billion in profits to criminal groups. One of the areas of the world where trafficking is growing fastest is the former Soviet Union. Human trafficking from Ukraine, especially for sex work, is a serious and increasing problem for the country. Following a recent study by the International Organization of Migration (IOM), reference is now being made to 420,000 women having been trafficked out of the country in the last few years alone.

"Increased economic globalization and privatization has resulted in an increased feminization of poverty, forcing greater numbers of women worldwide to migrate in search of work. Many of these migrants end up as victims of illegal and unscrupulous trafficking networks. Women from Ukraine also have a strong economic incentive to seek employment in Central Europe where living standards are better than in the countries of transition.

"Trafficking networks may recruit and transport women legally or illegally for slavery-like work, including forced prostitution, sweatshop labor, and exploitative domestic servitude. Trafficking in women as a shadow economy does not bring financial prosperity to local communities. The women often end up with nothing, or any money they earn comes at great cost to their health, emotional well being and standing in the community. The money made by the criminal networks does not stay in poor communities or countries, but is laundered through foreign bank accounts.

"It is both a community and national responsibility to keep this human tragedy from occuring to the daughters, sisters, mothers and wives of Ukraine. And when it does happen, let us hope our community will treat these abused women with compassion rather than judgement, and do whatever it takes to help them to rebuild their shattered lives at home in Ukraine."

It was translated into Ukrainian by a representative from the International Office of Migration.