Victims of human trafficking in south-eastern Europe are too often treated as criminals, according to a new report by international organisations. The report says fewer victims are being identified and assisted.
The authors say there has been great progress in developing anti-trafficking measures in south-eastern Europe.
But, it adds, all too often these measures are not effectively implemented and victims are not receiving support.
The report was written by the United Nations children's agency, Unicef, the UN's refugee agency and the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
 Human trafficking is a fact of life in Eastern Europe |
It covers the situation in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Moldova and Romania. It says criminals in charge of trafficking networks continue to operate with impunity in many countries and not enough is being done to protect the victims.
The report quotes the case of a Moldovan woman who accused senior government officials in Montenegro of forcing her into sexual slavery.
It says she was interviewed by police every day for up to nine hours and was traumatised by confrontations with the accused.
The report calls for more protection of witnesses and more assistance for victims who have returned to their home countries.
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