The reported numbers of women trafficked totaled 2 cases in 1992, 8
cases in 1993, and 10 women in 1994, but knowledge from criminal activity shows that these
are small fractions of the reality. ("Highway to prostitution," The
Euroreporter, 1995)
In Slovakia and the Czech Republic the growing organized crime networks have engaged in
the trafficking of young women into Western Europe, especially to Germany, Italy, the
Netherlands and Greece. ("Highway to prostitution," The Euroreporter,
1995)
Policy and law
In the Czech Republic, alien smuggling is considered a misdemeanor. (Tass, 1995,
"Trafficking and Prostitution: The Growing Exploitation of Migrant Women from Central
and Eastern Europe," IOM, May 1995)
There are 200 brothels in Dubi, a small town on the E55 highway, on the
border of the Czech Republic. Czech and Russian mafia control prostitution. The local
police chief says he is powerless to stop the trade. ("Tradegy of orphans left behind
in ‘sin town’," http://news.bbc.co.uk/, 22 December 1997)
Many of the women involvedin prostitution are Slovak gypsies. Approximately one woman
per week gives birth at a local hospital, where they give the babies up for adoption.
Racism toward gypsies prevents many of the babies from being adopted. ("Tradegy of
orphans left behind in ‘sin town’," http://news.bbc.co.uk/, 22 December
1997)
Methods and Techniques of Pimps
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia new "businessmen" have opened massage
parlors. The prostituted women are controlled by "bodyguards" who bring them to
and from their buyers. In some cases the girls are models for pornographic magazines and
films. Some are confined to various "erotic" parlors and in other cases they
become call girls who often have to use caravans instead of flats. ("Highway to
prostitution," The Euroreporter, 1995)
Sex Tourism
German sex tourists offer twice the usual rate for unprotected sex. Pimps force
pregnant women to continue in prostitution because men will pay more to have sex with
them. ("Tragedy of orphans left behind in ‘sin town’,"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/, 22 December 1997)