Overview of Week 5

Week 5 had me focusing on two parallel projects: finalizing a blog for GI‑TOC’s website on human‑trafficking flows from South America to Europe and continuing OSINT work for the Eurasia Observatory. The blog aimed to map emerging routes, explore the intersection between trafficking and other crimes and propose policy responses.

What went well?

My research was insightful but revealed worrying trends. Spanish police dismantled a human‑trafficking ring that lured more than 1 000 women (mainly from Venezuela and Colombia) with false job offers and forced them into sex work. Cases like these illustrate how traffickers exploit economic crises, migration flows and lax oversight to supply European sex markets. I also drew connections between trafficking and drug routes: transatlantic cocaine shipments often accompany migrant smuggling, creating opportunities for criminals to coerce women into exploitation. The blog synthezised case studies, statistics and survivor testimonies. Meanwhile, I delivered updated notes on digital currencies and Uzbek groups that integrated colleagues’ feedback from previous weeks.

What could have gone differently?

Writing for a broader audience required me to simplify complex legal and criminological concepts. Some of my early drafts were too technical, and I had to revise extensively to make the narrative accessible. In the future I will outline key messages first and seek feedback sooner to avoid unnecessary rewrites.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

I discovered a passion for communicating research to the public. Crafting a compelling story about survivors’ experiences required empathy and careful language. It reminded me that my work is not only about analyzing crime but also about humanizing those affected.

What did I learn about leadership? 

Effective leaders translate knowledge into action. By producing a blog that reached a non‑specialist audience, I helped bridge the gap between research and advocacy. This aligns with the 3Cs framework’s emphasis on capacities, particularly performance skills such as critical thinking and storytelling, and on demonstrating GI‑TOC’s commitment to gender equality and human rights. I also learned that leadership involves recognizing when to step back and let survivors’ voices be the focal point.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

My priority for Week 6 will be finalizing all deliverables: completing the guidance note for the Crime Congress, finishing OSINT reports for the Eurasia Observatory and reflecting on the skills I have gained during this experience.