[1] In 2008 Latvia was a source and destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.
Latvian women were trafficked to Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom for commercial sexual exploitation.
[2] The Government of Latvia did not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.
It also made modest prevention efforts by taking initial steps to combat sex tourism committed by foreign visitors to Latvia.
The Ministry of Welfare provided $14,500 for the training of 271 social workers to improve the administration of victim assistance and rehabilitation services.
In June 2007, the government instituted a 30-day “reflection period” during which non-Latvian victims and their dependent children are eligible for government-funded assistance and rehabilitation services while deciding whether to cooperate with law enforcement.
The Ministry of Family and Children’s Affairs continued to train professionals in contact with vulnerable populations to advise potential victims of the dangers of trafficking.