Nghe An strengthens inspection and handling of prostitution activities

The People's Committee of Nghe An province has just issued a plan to prevent and combat prostitution in Nghe An province in 2023. The plan aims to specify the tasks assigned in the Prime Minister's Program to prevent and combat prostitution for the period 2021 - 2025 and the Master Plan to implement the Program to prevent and combat prostitution for the period 2021 - 2025 of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs.

The goal of this plan is to strengthen prevention, control and repel prostitution; create a strong change in awareness and action of all levels, sectors, social organizations and communities in the work of preventing and combating prostitution; increase access to and use of social services for community integration for sex workers.

The plan has set out many specific goals, such as at least 70% of communes, wards and towns must organize at least one form of propaganda on prostitution prevention and maintain it regularly; Information on prostitution prevention and control is published in provincial and district press agencies at least once a month; at least 60% of workers in industrial zones; 70% of high school students, universities and vocational training institutions must be propagandized, disseminated policies and laws, provided with information and knowledge on prostitution prevention and control; 100% of districts, cities and towns must develop plans and organize and carry out prostitution prevention and control activities; organize inspections of at least 20% of service business establishments that are prone to prostitution in the area...

Also according to this plan, in the coming time, Nghe An will strengthen inspection and examination; promptly detect and handle violations of the law on prostitution prevention and control; investigate and prosecute crimes related to prostitution. Strengthen management of security and order; organize investigations, discover cases, and destroy criminal organizations related to prostitution. Improve the effectiveness of inspection and supervision of activities to combat administrative violations and crimes related to prostitution from the grassroots level; promptly prosecute crimes related to prostitution.

Regularly improve and enhance the effectiveness of the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team 178 at all levels on drug and prostitution prevention; develop plans for regular and surprise inspections of service business establishments with security and order conditions in the whole province. Carry out post-inspection work, evaluate compliance with regulations, and correct shortcomings at service business establishments that have been inspected or have been subject to administrative sanctions. Strictly inspect and manage the conditions for establishment and operation of business and services that are prone to prostitution according to the provisions of law to prevent, detect and stop the exploitation of these activities to organize prostitution.

At the same time, develop and implement intervention activities to reduce harm, prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, prevent and reduce gender-based violence in the prevention and fight against prostitution. Research and propose policies to encourage and support the development of social service facilities, creating conditions for sex workers to access preventive interventions, examination and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, and Methadone treatment programs for sex workers who use drugs. Increase support and investment in resources to renovate, expand and upgrade facilities and equipment for facilities and networks providing support services on vocational education, health care, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, and support for community integration for sex workers.

Authorities drew up records of violators of temporary residence and temporary absence regulations at Hon Cau beach, Dien Hai (Dien Chau) in 2020. Photo courtesy

In addition, we will continue to promote the implementation of prostitution prevention activities through integrating relevant programs at the grassroots level. Organize investigations, surveys, reviews, assessments, and forecasts on the needs of prostitutes with financial difficulties, unemployed youth, workers in service establishments prone to prostitution, and socio-economic development programs, social security, and social protection at the local level to target these groups. Develop integrated activities for groups of women seeking employment in vocational training, job search, loan support, and poverty reduction programs to provide them with opportunities to choose suitable jobs, etc.

The Provincial People's Committee also assigned specific tasks to relevant departments, branches, sectors, organizations, localities and units to synchronously deploy contents and solutions to contribute to achieving the set goals.

In particular, the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs is responsible for guiding, monitoring and supervising the implementation of the Plan, periodically inspecting and evaluating every 6 months and 1 year to synthesize reports to the Provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs. Advise on the implementation of legal documents and guidance documents of the Ministries and Central branches on prostitution prevention and control, submit to competent authorities to issue policies, mechanisms and policies on prostitution prevention and control in accordance with the requirements in the current situation. Organize training on new documents related to prostitution prevention and control; study, exchange and improve professional qualifications for officials working on social evil prevention and control; organize communication on prostitution prevention and control in some areas with complicated prostitution problems, focusing on directing implementation in key areas. Take the lead in implementing the work of the Provincial Interdisciplinary Inspection Team 178; Coordinate with relevant departments and branches to develop plans to inspect service establishments with security and order conditions; strengthen direction and guidance for the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team 178 at district and commune levels to regularly organize inspections and checks of service establishments with security and order conditions in their localities. Evaluate communes, wards and towns on the work of preventing and combating social evils; credit support activities, job creation for reformed prostitutes.

The provincial police are responsible for directing police forces at all levels to strengthen the fight against and destroy gangs, rings, and criminal organizations related to prostitution, paying special attention to crimes of human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution and child prostitution; implementing the direction of the Ministry of Public Security on reviewing, proposing amendments and supplements to regulations on security and order management for service establishments that are prone to prostitution.

The Provincial Border Guard Command presides over and coordinates with agencies, departments, branches, functional forces, and local authorities at all levels to effectively implement the signed Regulations and Coordination Plans on preventing and combating prostitution and human trafficking in border areas. Proactively advises local Party committees and authorities to propagate and mobilize the masses to actively participate in denouncing and fighting crimes; implement socio-economic development programs, create jobs, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, improve people's material and spiritual life, in order to minimize crimes and prostitution. Synchronously deploy professional prevention measures, organize patrols, and strictly control the border, focusing on key routes and areas, border gates, seaports, border areas, trails, and border crossings to promptly detect and prevent crimes, prostitution, and human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution; investigate, verify and handle according to the provisions of law.

The Department of Culture and Sports is responsible for strengthening the direction, inspection and examination of cultural and sports service establishments to prevent and promptly handle acts of pornography, sexual stimulation, circulation of harmful and depraved publications, taking advantage of cultural and sports activities to organize prostitution; integrating propaganda and education on prostitution prevention with cultural, artistic and sports activities, etc.