Project description
Victim-centred approach to help trafficking victims
The number of people, including children, falling victim to human trafficking and CSA/CSE around the world continues to grow, despite increased international attention and resources. In Europe, sexually exploited women and girls make up the majority of human trafficking victims. The EU-funded HEROES project will explore how to use the latest technological advances and strategies to prevent and combat CSA/CSE and human trafficking, support investigation into these crimes and their victims' protection. It will develop an ambitious, interdisciplinary, international and victim-centred approach. HEROES aims to establish a coordinated contribution with law enforcement agencies to address the specific needs of victims and provide protection which currently is often limited by lack of coordination among stakeholders.
Objective
Trafficking of human beings (THB) and child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSA/CSE) are two big problems in our society. Inadvertently, new information and communication technologies (ICTs) have provided a space for these problems to develop and take new forms, made worse by the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, technical and legal tools available to stakeholders that prevent, investigate, and assist victims – such as law enforcement agencies (LEAs), prosecutors, judges, and civil society organisations (CSOs) – fail to keep up with the pace at which criminals use new technologies to continue their abhorrent acts. Furthermore, assistance to victims of THB and CSA/CSE is often limited by the lack of coordination among these stakeholders. In this sense, there is a clear and vital need for joint work methodologies and the development of new strategies for approaching and assisting victims. In addition, due to the cross-border nature of these crimes, harmonisation of legal frameworks from each of the affected countries is necessary for creating bridges of communication and coordination among all those stakeholders to help victims and reduce the occurrence of these horrendous crimes. To address these challenges, the HEROES project comes up with an ambitious, interdisciplinary, international, and victim-centred approach. The HEROES project is structured as a comprehensive solution that encompasses three main components: Prevention, Investigation and Victim Assistance. Through these components, our solution aims to establish a coordinated contribution with LEAs by developing an appropriate, victim-centred approach that is capable of addressing specific needs and providing protection. The HEROES project’s main objective is to use technology to improve the way in which help and support can be provided to victims of THB and CSA/CSE.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.7. - Secure societies - Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.7.1. - Fight crime, illegal trafficking and terrorism, including understanding and tackling terrorist ideas and beliefs
- H2020-EU.3.7.8. - Support the Union's external security policies including through conflict prevention and peace-building
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
28040 Madrid
Spain
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Participants (28)
CT2 7NZ Canterbury, Kent
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1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
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13083 875 Campinas Sp
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70919 970 Brasilia Df
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78153 Le Chesnay Cedex
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10177 Athina
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1010 Wien
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8703 Erlenbach
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41300 LA RINCONADA SEVILLA
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151 25 Maroussi
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Dundalk Louth
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
SW1X 7QA London
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1000 Dhaka
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44275 Kaunas
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1150 201 Lisboa
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110011 BOGOTA
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106 82 Athens
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70393 904 BRASILIA
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07096-020 Guarulhos
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28071 Madrid
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101 77 Athens
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LV-1026 Riga
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1784 Sofia
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1100 Montevideo
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70037900 BRASILIA
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70610-200 Brasilia
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Participation ended
Lima 15046 Lima
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1010 Wien
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