4.7 Mission to Moldova 80 participants acquired new skills in the investigation and representation of clients during hate crime cases. Activities Related to Threats Posed by Criminal Activity Trafficking in Human Beings & Migration-related Crime Portuguese experts and the National Institute of Justice officials during the Workshop on compensation and rehabilitation of victims of crimes, Chisinau, October 2019. (OSCE) From 29 October to 2 November, the Mission organized a study visit to Sweden for CSO representatives from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, including the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. The aim was to learn more about efficient mechanisms to support victims of exploitation and abuse, including victims of domestic violence. During the visit, CSOs on the left-bank gained exposure to a leading European system of social welfare operating with a ‘victim-centred’ approach. The visit also helped to consolidate institutional ties created between service providers from both banks. As a result of the visit, additional regional exchange initiatives are planned in social protection for victims of abuse between experts from both banks in 2020. Hate Crime During 2019, the Mission continued building on its previous efforts to help strengthen the capacity of justice actors to effectively address hate crimes. In co-operation with the Moldovan Union of Lawyer’s Training Centre for Lawyers and Joint Law Enforcement Training Centre, the Mission organized two workshops for 37 police officers in Comrat (Autonomous Unit of Gagauzia) and Soroca, and a two training events for 40 lawyers in Cahul and Balti. Both events were conducted in Romanian (in Balti, Cahul and Soroca) and Russian (in Comrat, ATU Gagauzia) languages. From 23 to 30 September, the Mission organized four training events in Soroca, Comrat, Balti and Cahul on the investigation of bias-motivated offences for police officers and lawyers in Northern and Southern Moldova. In total, 100 Throughout 2019, in co-operation with the CSO Women’s Initiatives from Tiraspol, the Mission organized 12 one-day workshops in all regions of the Republic of Moldova on the prevention of abuse and exploitation for 190 specialists, students and citizens from the left bank. During the workshops, participants learned more about the risks of illegal migration, exploitation and THB. As trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation has increased in recent years within the country, the Mission organized a seminar for 25 labour inspectors to ensure that a proper referral and assistance systems was in place for trafficked victims in line with national and international standards. A total of 114 prosecutors and judges also learned how to better investigate and prosecute cyber-crimes and online trafficking and exploitation of children during a series of specialized training events held in Chisinau organized by the Mission in co-operation with the National Institute of Justice. In total, 77 local professionals from three districts neighbouring the Dniester/Nistru River enhanced their skills on handling cases of domestic violence and abuse. Fostering partnerships between the two banks was accomplished through a successful exchange of experiences between service providers working to support vulnerable women and children. On 29 November, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection and State Labour Inspectorate, the Mission organized a workshop in Chisinau for 25 labour inspectors on identifying cases of human trafficking for labour exploitation. Experts from the Chisinau Shelter for Victims of THB, Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons, and GPO shared their knowledge through a variety of case studies and simulation exercises aimed at strengthening the practical skills of participants as well as integrating a gender perspective on those practical tools tackling THB.