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Major human trafficking case in Bern: 146 women from China exploited!
A major human trafficking case was uncovered in Bern in which 146 Chinese women were forced into sex work.
Major human trafficking case in Bern: 146 women from China exploited!
Bern cantonal police have uncovered one of the largest and most shocking cases of human trafficking in Switzerland. More than 146 women, mostly from China, were forced into sex work over the years. Police now face the challenge of bringing to court the complex case in which five people are accused of luring the women to Switzerland under false promises and then exploiting them. The first steps towards prosecution have already been initiated. Nachrichten.at reports that the women had to live in private apartments where they hardly had the opportunity to leave the house.
The women were not only physically isolated, but also financially trapped. They had to give half of their income to the suspected perpetrators, while they had to use the remaining money to pay off debts and finance their living. The perpetrators also conducted negotiations with the suitors themselves, which further worsened the women's situation. Reto Waldmeier, head of Special Investigation 4 of the Bern Cantonal Police, expressed the difficult situation: “Many victims show no physical traces or do not contact the police.” The fears of women, who often support their families financially at home, exacerbate the problem; They fear reprisals from perpetrators or the loss of their only source of income.
Challenges in the fight against human trafficking
Security Director Philippe Müller (FDP) emphasized the structural weaknesses in the fight against human trafficking. He explains that data protection is a significant hurdle to the investigation; Exchanges with foreign authorities are often easier than between the Swiss cantons. This, as well as the low number of convictions, makes it difficult for the authorities to work effectively. Since 2008, only 41 convictions for human trafficking have been reported in the canton of Bern, with most cases involving sexual exploitation. However, the focus was also on other sectors such as agriculture, construction and private households. SRF notes that there is a lack of a clearly defined legal framework, which makes the fight even more difficult.
Attorney General Annatina Schultz is calling for a more precise definition of the offense in the Criminal Code. The existing article leaves too many interpretations, which prevents the perpetrators from being properly prosecuted. The authorities agree that there is an urgent need to create better legal frameworks and opportunities for data exchange in order to effectively combat human trafficking.