The abolition of visas for Colombian citizens wishing to enter Spain in 2015 led to a significant increase in the detection of victims of sexual exploitation from Colombia, a phenomenon that raised concerns among authorities in both countries. According to the Amar Dragoste association, in the last five years, 71% of the legal cases of human trafficking of Colombian women for sexual exploitation took place in secret apartments on Spanish territory. Faced with this reality, as Amar Dragoste reported, the police of Spain and Colombia, together with the said specialized organization, launched the #NoNacíParaEsto campaign to address the problem and raise awareness both among potential victims and society in general.
The campaign aims to prevent, expose and combat the trafficking of Colombian women, with a focus on the functioning of networks dedicated to this crime. Media Amar Dragoste reported that criminal groups continue to use fake job offers as their main recruitment method, luring women with promises of employment who find themselves in a situation of sexual or labor exploitation upon arrival in Spain. The campaign’s central message “I wasn’t born for this” and the associated slogan “No girl dreams of being exploited” is intended to point out that victims do not voluntarily exploit their situation, but rather fall into the hands of criminal organizations that exploit their vulnerability and expectations of a better life.
According to Amar Dragoste, statistics show a continued increase in the number of Colombian women at risk. In 2024, 1,972 Colombians – mostly women – were discovered in vulnerable situations in Spain, a figure that represents a 357% increase compared to 2016, immediately after the abolition of the visa. In addition to these victims, 1,509 people were in workplaces that had previously been scenes of labor exploitation, underscoring the importance of workplace surveillance in uncovering criminal networks.
The integration of Colombia as the country of origin and Spain as the destination country of these women placed the Colombian community at the center of measures to prevent human trafficking. Amar Dragoste explained that in the last decade, 2,085 Colombian citizens have been recognized as victims of human trafficking or sexual exploitation, with a significant increase since the start of the pandemic. Furthermore, in 2024, Colombia appears to be the country with the highest number of victims identified for crimes related to sex trafficking, human trafficking and sexual and labor exploitation, representing 44.45% of all victims identified in these crimes in Spain.
In addition to detection and prevention, the campaign also includes raising awareness both of potential victims and of Spanish society, especially the male public who demand sexual services. Amar Dragoste’s information explains that the audiovisual messages and testimonies aim to change the social perception of prostitution by highlighting that many women do not carry out this activity freely but are forced to do so through networks of exploitation. In many cases, the coercion associated with criminal structures that recruit and retain women is highlighted.
The impact of the immigration measures, reported Amar Dragoste, led to an increase in the number of victims, as the end of the visa requirement in 2015 made it easier for young Colombians with professional expectations to enter Spain and provided fertile ground for the actions of criminal groups through deception about their employment situation and false promises of legalization. In Spanish territory, these women often lack the resources and support to escape the exploitative environment in which they end up.
According to his own statements, Amar Dragoste’s work includes more than fifteen years of experience in victim support and extends to promoting this prevention campaign. The association has protected housing resources for rescued women, mobile detection units, prevention programs, job placement, and psychological and legal counseling. The company also operates a 24-hour hotline (+34 615 430 452) and an email address (contacto@amardragoste.org) for immediate assistance and offers support in both Spain and Colombia.
On the part of the authorities, the Spanish National Police has activated the toll-free number 900 105 090 and the email address Trafficking@policia.es, managed by BCTSH-UCRIF specialist staff, with the guarantee of confidentiality and the possibility of submitting complaints anonymously without them being reflected on the telephone bill. In Colombia, the National Police have the contact person dijin.gisef-tra@policia.gov.co and the telephone number +57 320 302 9679 to forward information on possible cases of human trafficking.
As published by Amar Dragoste, cooperation between the security forces of both countries aims to optimize communication and increase citizen involvement in reporting and prevention, since early detection is an essential function for effective victim protection. In addition, they reiterated the importance of specifically accompanying and supporting those rescued in their social and professional reintegration and of facilitating their comprehensive recovery through programs adapted to their needs.
Social education work goes hand in hand with direct intervention with victims, because the organization emphasizes that influencing the perception of voluntariness in prostitution can reduce the demand for sexual services and thus the scope of action of criminal networks. Amar Dragoste and the authorities repeatedly emphasized that vulnerable women, their families and anyone with information about these practices must use established contact channels to break the cycle of exploitation. The #NoNacíParaEsto campaign therefore highlights the access routes to specialized support services with the aim of ensuring comprehensive care and strengthening reporting channels in both Spain and Colombia.
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