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Russian Small Grant Recipient Organizes Influential Anti-Trafficking Campaign
With only $990, Lyudmila Erokhina of the Russian Far East organized a
far-reaching and influential PR and education campaign designed to raise
public awareness and educate law enforcement officials about the trafficking
of women. She is an inspiring example of how much can be achieved with
a small amount of money.
In Primorskii Krai, its villages, towns, and the city of Vladivostok,
the human trafficking business is, unfortunately, flourishing. Women are
trafficked primarily into nearby China. Using her academic expertise proactively,
Erokhina, chair of the philosophy department at the Vladivostok State
University of Economics and Service, designed the PR and education campaign
"Stop the Women's Slave Trade," aimed at raising public awareness
of trafficking in multiple levels of society.
Raising Public Awareness about Trafficking
Erokhina's campaign included a variety of educational outreach tools:
- A poster contest and exhibit,
- Lectures at high schools and universities,
- Articles in local newspapers, and
- Interviews with local TV stations.
Poster Contest and Art Exhibit
The poster contest and exhibit brought together students and professional
designers in an attempt to graphically convey the image of women caught
in a web of corruption and sexual exploitation. The exhibit exceeded all
expectations in attracting the attention of young people and effectively
disseminating information locally about trafficking. Moreover, Erokhina
coordinated the production and distribution of 1,500 brochures to young
women at universities, schools, discos, dormitories, and restaurants.
The resourcefulness of Erokhina and the generous help from volunteers
enhanced the effective use of the grant money.
Educating Law Enforcement Officials
Erokhina's efforts were not limited to the academic and youth environments.
Familiar with the criminological aspect of trafficking, she also conducted
seminars for local police officers, judges, and prosecutors, which led
to her subsequent affiliation with the government. She works as a senior
researcher at the Vladivostok Center for Organized Crime, collaborating
with Louise Shelley-IREX alumna and head of the Transnational Crime and
Corruption Center at American University-in a joint effort to address
international crime against women.
Academic Approach to a "Personal" Issue
The trafficking of women in Russia is not only a widespread business,
but is also a criminal activity often underestimated and misunderstood
by the general public and law enforcement officials. Lyudmila Erokhina
has taken a new, scholarly approach to the problem, applying academic
research methodology and putting strong emphasis on the responsible collection
of data. This has given her efforts a concrete foundation of credibility
and has galvanized anti-trafficking concerns in the region. Her book Trafficking
of Women is the first book published in Russia that directly deals
with this difficult issue. All the information gathered and distributed
as a result of this project will be incorporated into Erokhina's courses
"Introduction to Gender Studies" and "The Philosophy of
Feminism."
Erokhina is a three-time IREX alumna, having received an RSEP grant (1996-97),
an Alumni Small Grant (2001), and an FSA Contemporary Issues (CI) fellowship
(2002). As a CI grantee, she is currently working on a project entitled
"Involving Children in Prostitution and Child-Sex Tourism: an Analysis
of Russian and USA Responses."
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