PMC International
PO Box 226
Manalapan, NJ 07228
t/f:732-448-0884
email: wplz@monmouth.com

Press Release
July 13, 1998

PRESS CONFERENCE JULY 20, 1998 AT 11:00 AM
RAMADA INN,
RT 10 WEST,
EAST HANOVER, NEW JERSEY

LAW ENFORCEMENT, TV AND RADIO NEWS INVITED.

CONTACT: Walter Zalisko

First US and Ukraine "Trafficking of Women" conference to be held in New Jersey

Freehold, NJ - White slavery rings have thrived on the exploitation of women from developing countries for years; rising unemployment, poverty and weakened social structures have caused the CIS countries – Ukraine and Russia in particular – to become the latest target countries for recruitment of women into sexual slavery. The recent arrests of Russian gang members by the FBI and Immigration official's highlights the seriousness of this far-reaching problem.

In a November 1997 address in L’viv, First Lady Hillary Clinton denounced trafficking in women as a fundamental "violation of human rights … nothing less than modern day slavery." The US Government has identified this problem as a priority issue.

An intensive 12-day series of training programs and activities, organized by former Monmouth County Undersheriff and current police supervisor with the Jersey City Police Department Walter Zalisko, will take place in New Jersey on July 18-31, 1998 at the Ramada Inn, located in East Hanover, New Jersey. The program, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (AED/USAID) and hosted by Project Harmony, will bring together a delegation of twenty Ukrainians comprised of leading government officials, including representatives from police justice, social services, and American law enforcement and public officials. Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye will welcome and address the conference. The group will also meet with White House staff and government officials in Washington, DC. Zalisko said, "This program will provide participants with practical skills, networking opportunities and access to US and international resources."

The trafficking of women from Ukraine and other CIS countries is increasing rapidly. This form of exploitation and abuse of human rights is no longer confined to women from developing countries. Most women are recruited through friends and acquaintances but, on arrival in the destination country, many women find themselves indebted to a trafficker or club owner. Most of these traffickers are members of the Russian Mafia considered a ruthless (dis)organized group of criminals which have been operating in the New York/New Jersey area for many years. Many of the women are offered legitimate jobs and then either tricked or forced into prostitution, while others know they will work as prostitutes. Many of these young women are often beaten or murdered if they do not cooperate. The full scale of the problem remains unknown, however, because few women are prepared or able to report what has happened to them to the police. Trafficking in women continues to be a considerably under-reported offense throughout Europe and the United States. One reason for that may be the lack of experience in dealing with this issue. The goal is to foster greater international co-operation to combat illegal trafficking and organized crime in order to reduce trafficking of women.

The training program will focus on three areas: law enforcement and international legal efforts to combat trafficking; public education, prevention and support networks; and, the creation of a public-private initiative in Ukraine to combat trafficking. The goal is to provide exposure to new approaches and techniques in anti-trafficking work. Patricia Kotyk-Zalisko, a former New Jersey State Deputy Attorney General and Assistant County Prosecutor/Director an expert in her field will discuss topical areas such as Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Women's Rights and Violence Against Women. Interested parties are invited to attend.