The association ACT212 was founded on December 2, 2014, by Irene Hirzel. Together with the board and Martin Minder, who managed the finances, the work began in December.
ACT212 was established to support the efforts against human trafficking in Switzerland listed in the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking (NAP).
This goal is to be achieved through counselling, training, awareness-raising, cooperation with professionals and organizations, as well as through the operation of a national reporting office, with the involvement of the Swiss population.
Main objectives:
- Improve the identification of victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation
- Ensure comprehensive protection for victims
- Achieve effective prosecution of offenders
Identification of victims and support
ACT212 operates the National Reporting Office against Human Trafficking and Exploitation. It receives reports related to exploitation situations and forwards them to governmental and non-governmental bodies specialized in human trafficking. Victims are connected with local support services.
Awareness-raising & training
Through lectures, training sessions, consultations, and information events, ACT212 works with experts to raise awareness among both professionals and the general public on the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Switzerland and abroad.
Networking & cooperation
ACT212 participates in various roundtables on human trafficking and serves as an advisory member in steering groups, developing strategies and measures to combat human trafficking domestically and internationally in cooperation with experts.
Founding year 2014
The first specialist conferences and training sessions were held. These are important, because only by looking closely and understanding how human trafficking works can we identify victims and show them ways out of their situation.
To handle reports effectively, a nationwide network of partners is created.
An expert group “Reporting Office” is established and, together with ACT212, develops a concept for the office.
Milestones
- 2015: Founding of the National Reporting Office against Human Trafficking on October 18.
- 2017: Fedpol launches a campaign in the healthcare sector and, together with ACT212 and other partners, offers training in hospitals.
- 2018: ACT212 becomes a member of the campaign weeks 18.Oktober.ch (European Day against Human Trafficking), organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- ACT212 begins lecturing in the CAS Forensic Nursing program at the University of Zurich.
- The Reporting Office records an increase in suspected “Loverboy” cases involving underage Swiss victims and holds its first specialist conference on the topic.
- 2019: The National Expert Group Loverboy is founded; shortly afterwards, ACT212 starts the International Expert Group Loverboy.
- 2020: The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) launches a campaign for labor market inspectors; ACT212 organizes training sessions with SECO.
- The National Reporting Office records its 500th report.
- The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major challenge. Reports decrease, and training is conducted online.
- 2021: The Swiss Crime Prevention (SKP) launches a campaign targeting sex buyers. The National Reporting Office of ACT212 is part of the campaign and increasingly receives reports from sex buyers.
- 2022: The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine presents major challenges for ACT212. Shortly after the war began, two projects and a fundraising campaign were launched: one at the Ukrainian border in Moldova to ensure the safe crossing of women and children, and one in Switzerland. The National Reporting Office is translated into Ukrainian, and a Ukrainian interpreter is hired for training.
- RTS produces a documentary titled “The Nasty Tactics of Loverboys”, which is broadcast by RSI, SRF, 3Sat, and TV5 Monde.
- ACT212 hires a survivor of human trafficking (Loverboy) and, together with her and other experts, writes a specialist book aimed at prevention but also intervention, with practical examples.
- 2024: ACT212 appoints Nathalie Guex and Fanny Froideveaux as co-directors.
- In December, the 10-year anniversary takes place along with the farewell to founder and managing director Irene Hirzel.