Malta Stands Against Human Trafficking as “New Beginnings” Makes an Impact in Qawra
- Lola Gorecki
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Human trafficking remains a severe human rights violation that often operates invisibly within our communities. To bring this critical issue to light, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted a Human Trafficking Public Awareness Day on the 26th of June 2026.
What happens in the mind of a personnel trafficked? African Media Association Malta. All rights reserved
Held directly in front of the Qawra Parish Church, the campaign centered 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.
To actively engage attendees, the organizers set up interactive boards, such as walking inside the mind of a trafficked person, and a quiz about integration in Malta. These interactive games helped break the ice and educate participants on the realities of trafficking in an engaging and approachable way.
Rules of the game that help players put themselves in the victims' position. African Media Association Malta. All rights reserved
Attendees had the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from Blue Door Education, the Malta Police Force (Polizija), Qawra Community Service and the FSWS.
Malta Police Force writing their thoughts on the boards. African Media Association Malta. All rights reserved
Blue Door Education stand. African Media Association Malta. All rights reserved
Qawra Community Service stand. African Media Association Malta. All rights reserved
Because victims are often hidden in plain sight, a major focus of the event was teaching the public how to identify critical warning signs. Through the various stands and activities, organizers highlighted red flags such as restricted freedom of movement, lack of personal identification, visible fear and excessive working hours in poor conditions.
A four-angle cube explanatory of Human Trafficking. African Media Association Malta. All rights reserved
This awareness day was a cornerstone of the broader “New Beginnings – Empowering Against Trafficking” project, co-funded by the European Union. Beyond this single event, the multi-year initiative works to address the complex needs of trafficking survivors in Malta.
The fight against exploitation does not end when the stands are packed away. If you suspect someone is experiencing human trafficking in Malta, you are strongly encouraged to safely report the situation.
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