In Viet Nam, crimes related to trafficking in persons are on the rise—in particular, cases around organ trafficking and forced marriage which largely target women and girls. Some women are forced to work as prostitutes, and trafficking of women for the purpose of forced prostitution is a serious problem. Traffickers also exploit Vietnamese nationals in forced labour in cyber scam operations.
Since 2016, the RSO and the People’s Police Academy (PPA) in Hanoi, Vietnam have worked together to promote critical knowledge around counter trafficking in persons and build capacity amongst PPA cadets and criminal investigators in several provinces to strengthen efforts in counter trafficking in Viet Nam and the wider Mekong region.
Over 15-16 January and 17-18 January 2024, the RSO and the PPA ran the Introductory Course on Combating Trafficking in Persons to two groups of third-year cadets majoring in criminal investigation at the PPA. A total of 180 cadets from the PPA participated in the course.
The comprehensive program, developed collaboratively by the RSO and the PPA, addressed critical components of trafficking in persons. The course promoted a deeper understanding of international and national legal frameworks around counter trafficking in persons and the skills to identify trends, patterns, and effective investigative strategies.
Cadets also delved into the psychological aspects of dealing with trafficking victims and the nuances of victim support. Psychologists from the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, Minh-Chau Dinh Thi and Tran Thi Tra My, brought valuable hands-on experience and insights around employing trauma-informed approaches. Cadets actively engaged in discussions and role-play scenarios, gaining practical insights into the role of victim protection and identification, as well as trauma-informed responses, in countering trafficking in persons.
Major General Chu Van Dzung, Vice President of the PPA, and Eun Jung Yi, RSO Programme Manager, delivered the opening and closing remarks. Police Colonel Nguyen Thi Viet Huong, Chief of the Office of the PPA, expressed gratitude for the long-standing partnership between the PPA and the RSO— especially around collaborating on capacity building initiatives for cadets for almost eight years. He highlighted the importance of these introductory courses in preparing cadets to handle trafficking cases effectively post-graduation.
The RSO and PPA were proud to commit to continued collaboration through the initiation of an MOU, providing an ongoing framework for this valuable partnership, as well as an outline for mutual commitments and responsibilities. The RSO looks forward to further collaboration with the PPA in Hanoi and remains dedicated to building on this successful partnership to further coordinated regional efforts in countering trafficking in persons.
