Filenews 28 September 2025 - by Marios Demetriou
"We are coming together for the first time in Cyprus as professionals from different industries, with the common goal of identifying, protecting and supporting victims of human trafficking, who live among us and are often not seen," said the CEO of the non-governmental organization Step Up Stop Slavery and financial compliance consultant in Nicosia, Katerina Stefanou, welcoming the dozens of invited speakers and experts who participated in the 4-day international "Access to Experts" training conference on the professional support of survivors/victims of trafficking in human beings, which took place on 15, 16, 17 and 19 September 2025 at the Semeli Hotel in Nicosia.
This very important interdisciplinary event was funded by the United Kingdom High Commission in Cyprus and brought together 90 professionals, mainly from Cyprus and the United Kingdom, but also from Latvia, Greece and Malta, while the training included 30 expert speakers and trainers from governmental and non-governmental organizations, lawyers, academics, police officers, doctors, psychologists, therapists, activists and former victim leaders, working against human trafficking. All these experts participated in person, or via recorded video, or via live internet connection.
The multi-day "Access to Experts" event was held in English and is a collaboration between Katerina Stefanou, Rachel Witkin, international anti-trafficking consultant and director of the "Modern Slavery Community of Practice" of the United Kingdom, and Jane Lasonder, award-winning global leader in human trafficking survivors and vice-president of the International Advisory Council on Trafficking Survivors people" (ISTAC). The speeches and presentations at the conference, throughout the week, were presented and moderated by Rachel Witkin, who stressed that "professional, comprehensive support for adults and children of victims of human trafficking is directly linked to strong convictions and imprisonment of traffickers". He added that "this contributes to a safer and healthier society, which is hostile to traffickers and not to their victims."
"Priority for all governments"
Interesting statements were made in their opening speeches on the first day of the conference (Monday 15 September) by the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Cyprus Michael Tatham, the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights Maria Stylianou Lottides and the DISY MP and former head of the Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (GEP) of the Police Rita Theodorou Superman. Present on Monday, the first day of the event, was the current head of the GEP, Lieutenant Eleni Michael, who participated in the work of the conference on Tuesday, September 16, with a presentation on the action of her Office. He spoke, among other things, about a "rapid increase" in the convictions of traffickers, since from 2021 until today, more than 20 convictions have been recorded, as he said.
The British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Michael Tatham, pointed out in his speech that "trafficking in human beings is a global phenomenon on a huge scale that knows no borders and affects all countries". He added the following: "Slavery lasts and is not over, it has evolved. It's not a niche problem that's limited to a few geographic areas. And although we often talk about the problem in general terms, behind every statistic, there is a person – most often a woman, or a girl – who is being exploited and abused. It is a moral imperative to remain at the forefront of the international agenda and a priority for all governments." The British diplomat also referred to the "need for a comprehensive and strategic approach. It is very important that this training program is supported by a number of international bodies – the UK government, the European Commission and the Council of Europe. It seems to me even more important that the participants in this programme include representatives of the government, parliament, civil society, the medical professions, law enforcement authorities and representatives of victims and survivors. Each of us bears responsibility and has a vital role to play." Mr. Tatham concluded by welcoming "the expansion of the UK's cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus and the fact that it is now expanding into vital areas such as human rights, gender equality and justice. The UK government – he added – has an active and evolving approach to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking and we are very keen to share our own experience, learn from the experience of others and share ideas on best practice."
The survivors, powerful agents of change
"This education is a vital step forward in our collective journey," said Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, Maria Lottides, in her speech. "The complexity of human trafficking – he added – requires a unified response. Every industry, whether it is social services, healthcare, law enforcement or legal advocacy, must adopt victim-centric principles in its work, because only through this integration, can we hope to provide holistic and effective support. Our Office also plays a vital role in the fight against human trafficking. It has been instrumental in monitoring the implementation of victims' rights, supporting enhanced protective measures, and ensuring that victims' voices are heard within national policy frameworks. The collaboration between Step Up Stop Slavery in Cyprus and the Contemporary Slavery Community of Practice in the UK exemplifies the global nature of this challenge – and the global commitment required to address it. Central to our efforts is the principle of Global Survivor Leadership. This approach recognizes victims of human trafficking, not only as recipients of support, but also as empowered leaders and experts, whose experiences are invaluable in shaping effective responses. Global Survivor Leadership emphasizes the active participation of survivors in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policy and professional practices. It encourages victim-led advocacy, peer support, and the creation of international networks that amplify the voices of survivors, across borders. Surviving individuals are not just recipients of help, they are powerful agents of change. Their voices, experiences, and leadership guide us in creating professional support systems that truly meet their needs, promote healing, and give victims the opportunities they deserve."
"No victim should be left invisible or unprotected"
Rita Superman: The victims are not children of a lesser God
"I am committed to carefully studying the conclusions and recommendations of the conference and bringing the issue ex officio, before the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights in the House of Representatives," said MP Rita Superman, who, as is known, had retired early from the ranks of the Police in 2020, after leading for 15 years, among other things, in her statement. of the GEP. "During these 15 years," he said, "I faced organized crime and corruption head-on, often at the risk of my own life. Today, as a Member of Parliament, I bear this responsibility, at the institutional level. It is my duty to draw on the experience I have gained over the years to remind the legislature that trafficking in human beings is an ongoing, serious violation of human rights that still exists, and to influence policy-making to not only prevent its implementation, but also to ensure the maximum possible protection and rehabilitation of victims."
Mrs. Superman described human trafficking as "a modern Lernaean Hydra, since, when one form is dealt with, others appear quickly. The fact that it is not visible to the average citizen - he added - does not mean that it has disappeared. Two decades ago, we managed to tackle entrenched corruption, close down exploitation facilities, secure convictions and, above all, rescue victims – some of whom have since completed their studies and now hold respectable jobs. If we could do this then, we can certainly do it now: expose online human trafficking networks, identify criminals operating under the cover of legitimate businesses, and protect men, women and children, who are trapped in the migration process. The message of this conference must be clear: the fight against trafficking in human beings, and ensuring the protection and dignity of victims, is only possible through genuine cooperation. Even if one factor is missing, the chain is broken and progress is undermined. Together, we can succeed. Together, we are strong. Our duty is to ensure that no victim is left invisible, unknown, or unprotected. We must be the guardians of justice and human dignity. Because the victims are not children of a lesser God."
"The involvement of every citizen makes the difference"
Lieutenant Eleni Michael: The results are now tangible with the rapid increase in convictions
The initiatives and assistance of the Police, and in particular of the GEP, in the fields of prevention, victim identification, training and cooperation with the co-competent services, were included in her presentation by Lieutenant Eleni Michael, who has been the head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Office, since April 2020. As he mentioned, "the GEP has increased in recent years the operations it conducts with the inspectors of the Labour Office, in areas where there are potential victims. Businesses in agricultural, livestock units and industries – he added – have been included in the context of prevention, not only in the context of investigating cases of labour exploitation." He went on to say that "the identification of victims is based on a protocol, with specific indications of victimization for each form of trafficking. The members of the GEP, who are also responsible for identifying the victims, are trained at regular intervals. The trainings are carried out by experts in the field, with the cooperation of European and international organizations. The cooperation with the co-competent services, such as the Social Welfare Services, Mental Health Services, inspectors of the Labor Office and officials of the Asylum Service, now includes the joint annual training, organized by the GEP. The initiative of the Police, in the creation of the four-digit line 1497, for information related to human trafficking, has strengthened the trust of citizens in the members of the GEP. The results of the line are now tangible, with the rapid increase in convictions, since from 2021 until today, more than 20 convictions have been recorded. This is due to the effectiveness of the cooperation with the co-competent services and the trust shown by the victims in the police officers and officers who handle their cases. The procedures have become more flexible and practical. The exemplary cooperation and involvement of every ordinary citizen is what makes the difference in the lives of the victims."
