Malta Rallies Against Human Trafficking: The “New Beginnings” Initiative Takes to Qawra

Human trafficking remains a severe human rights violation that often operates invisibly within communities. To bring this critical issue to light, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and the International Organization for Migration are hosting a Human Trafficking Public Awareness Day. 

Information day poster of the event (Source: fondi.eu )

This vital gathering is scheduled to take place on the 26th of June, running from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM directly in front of the Qawra Parish Church. The campaign centers on three fundamental pillars: 

recognizing the hidden signs of trafficking to build awareness, 

informing the community to prevent exploitation 

and taking collective action to safely report and end these abuses. Beyond this single event, the multi-year “New Beginnings” initiative addresses the complex needs of trafficking survivors in Malta by providing immediate crisis intervention, safe accommodation, psychological support and long-term socio-economic integration.

Because victims are often hidden in plain sight, organizers are using this campaign to teach the public how to identify warning signs (such as restricted freedom of movement, lack of personal identification, visible fear and excessive working hours in poor conditions). The upcoming June 26th event is an open invitation for everyone to stand in solidarity against human exploitation. It is a cornerstone of the broader “New Beginnings – Empowering Against Trafficking” project, which is co-funded by the European Union to support survivors and fortify community resilience.

If anyone suspects someone is experiencing trafficking in Malta, they are strongly encouraged to safely report the situation by calling Supportline 179, contacting Aġenzija Appoġġ at 2295 9000 or dialing the Police at 112 in emergencies.

Source : https://fondi.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/7.-New-Beginnings-FSWS.pdf