No Place for Sex Trafficking

15 October 2020

Why this project?
Every year there are an estimated 3,000 victims of sexual exploitation in the Netherlands, including 1,300 minors. Sexual exploitation often takes place under the radar, out of sight of everyone. Criminal organisations also make use of hotels and holiday parks unnoticed. Various parties are now joining forces to tackle this societal problem.

What does the project entail?
No Place for Sex Trafficking is a certification programme to tackle sexual exploitation. The platform is the first to focus on hotels and holiday parks. Hotels can obtain a responsibility certificate if 60% of their employees complete the online training. The training makes employees aware of the problems, learn to recognise signs of sexual exploitation in their work environment, such as changing sheets or towels more often than usual, and gain a perspective on how to act in such situations.

Various representatives from the hotel industry have already promised to use the certification programme because they want to increase awareness among their employees and above all want to offer a safe environment to their visitors.

Shame and low self-esteem, combined with a highly controlled environment of victims, make it difficult to escape the situation of exploitation.

‘In addition, it is common that victims of sexual exploitation do not recognise themselves as such. With this initiative we want to make people who may be confronted with situations of sexual exploitation in their work more aware and ensure that they know what they can do’, according to national human trafficking prosecutor Warner ten Kate. ‘In this way, situations of exploitation can be breached and prevented earlier.’

What is the contribution of and to the Creative Industries?
In addition to factual information on the subject, the platform also provides stories of victims, human traffickers and people who pay for sex. Design draws attention to the issue.

No Place for Sex Trafficking is the umbrella platform that focuses primarily on the hotel industry with No Room for Sex Trafficking. Two more certification programmes are in preparation, one for cafes, clubs and restaurants (No Table for Sex Trafficking) and for taxi companies (No Ride for Sex Trafficking). These programmes are expected to be launched in 2021.

No Place for Sex Trafficking was developed by What The studio in collaboration with Defense for Children, the Ministry of Justice and Security and the Public Prosecution Service, following the No Minor Thing challenge of What Design Can Do.