Step Up Stop Slavery

14/05/2026

Today STEP UP STOP SLAVERY carried out the second workshop in Larnaca on “Identifying Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector” targeting management staff in the hospitality industry as part of the EU funded HOST project. Katerina Stephanou, Founding CEO of Step Up Stop Slavery introduced participants to the project and the workshop.

Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Larnaca, Jason C. Jasonides, provided the opening speech reaffirming that:

‘Human trafficking is often a hidden crime that can take place in every day environments which makes awareness, education and cooperation between sectors extremely important.

Larnaca, Agia Napa and Protaras welcome thousands of visitors every year. For this reason the hospitality sector plays a key role in ensuring that tourism remains safe, responsible and respectful of human dignity.’

The Αστυνομία Κύπρου Anti Trafficking Unit was represented by officers Nikolas Malathouras and Maria Gregoriadou who provided an introduction to the Unit and National Hotline for human trafficking and discussed the work of the Unit and the steps taken to deal with human trafficking cases.

The training continued with international anti-trafficking consultant Rachel Witkin who addressed the types of human trafficking, the identification of victims within the hospitality sector and guidance on safety of staff and guests using trauma informed practice and case management.

Thank you to the participating hotels for your commitment to a zero tolerance of human trafficking!

Capo Bay Hotel Cyprus , Alion Beach Hotel • Ayia Napa • Cyprus Vangelis Hotel & Suites Sunrise Beach Hotel Nissi Beach Hotel, CyprusMandalena Hotel Apartments Radisson Blu

The workshop was offered as part of the EU Funded Project HOST - Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector.

13/05/2026

We are incredibly honoured to have been welcomed by Agora Club N.2 Nicosia to raise awareness about human trafficking in Cyprus - vulnerabilities, the realities of labour exploitation, supporting survivors and community engagement.

Our founding CEO Katerina Stephanou presented along side Che Irene, chair of our Step Up Survivors Advisory Council and the Cyprus Police Anti Trafficking Unit.

Thank you all who attended for supporting the work that we do!

Congratulations to the incredible Agora team and Anna Charikli for such a successful event and the sponsors Costas Theodorou and Electricity Authority.

12/05/2026

Today STEP UP STOP SLAVERY commenced the first in a series of workshops titled “Identifying Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector” targeting management staff in the hospitality industry as part of the EU funded HOST project.

Katerina Stephanou, Founding CEO of Step Up Stop Slavery; Farah Shammas, Managing Director of St Raphael Resort & Marina; and Iro Philippou, Vice Mayor of Limassol, Tserkezi Tflic area welcomed guests to the event.

Chief Inspector Eleni Michail provided an introduction to the Cyprus Police Human Trafficking Unit and National Hotline.

The training continued with anti-trafficking consultant Rachel Witkin who provided practical management procedures for preventing and responding to human trafficking risks in hospitality operations.

Some of the key actions that can be adopted by hotels was presented by Katerina Stephanou and the session concluded with the presentation of certificates.

The workshop was offered as part of the EU Funded Project HOST - Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector.

11/05/2026

Today more than 30 participants joined a lively, interactive online workshop titled Meeting the Needs of Survivors of Trafficking: Healthcare, Therapeutic care and Trauma informed practice hosted by Cyprus NGO Step Up Stop Slavery. Following an introduction by Founding CEO Katerina Stephanou, the workshop was delivered by front line anti- trafficking experts Rachel Wilkin, Che Irene, Dr Jane Hunt and Dr Eileen Walsh.

Professionals from related sectors were provided with information about the practical identification of victims, prioritising mental and physical healthcare needs and task-based, trauma informed conduct and communications (TiCC). The participants, which included social workers, psychologists, representatives of local NGOs and service providers as well as faith leaders, had an opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion with the experts.

The workshop was offered as part of the EU Funded Project HOST - Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector.

05/05/2026

📢INVITATION to the Hospitality Sector in Cyprus!!

Join us for a professional workshop on tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector!

We will explore:

✨How human trafficking occurs in the hospitality sector
✨Key indicators to identify risk situations
✨How to respond safely and appropriately
✨Practical tools to protect your guests, staff & reputation

🙍‍♀️🙎‍♂️Who should attend: Owners, Management & HR professionals of Hotels & restaurants

🌟SECURE YOUR PLACE!!

LIMASSOL
⏱️Tuesday 12 May
📍St. Raphael Resort

🌟Register here:
https://bit.ly/HOSTLimassol

LARNACA
⏱️Thursday 14 May
📍Radisson Blu Hotel

🌟Register here:
https://bit.ly/HOSTLarnaca

NICOSIA
⏱️Friday 15 May
📍Hilton Hotel

🌟Register here:
https://bit.ly/HOSTNicosia

All sessions:
⏰09:00 – 14:00

Delivered under the EU-funded Project HOST – Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector in Cyprus, Italy, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands

04/04/2026

Thank you Generation for Change CY for inviting us to screen our film “Not as I thought” and host a vibrant discussion on labour exploitation

27/03/2026

15/02/2026

We are incredibly delighted to have been part of a successful Erasmus+ project “Film making for social change”!

Thank you to our partners in Malta Cross Culture International Foundation CCIF and "Patvērums "Drošā māja" in Latvia!

Together we engaged youth across 3 Countries, developing awareness on human trafficking and educating in story telling through film making:)

So proud at the impact this initiative has produced!!

10 films on human trafficking prevention created by youth!!

Four short films about online exploitation and human trafficking are being launched this month, empowering youth through lived learning.

10/02/2026

Marking Safer Internet Day we are delighted to launch our series of short films highlighting !

Kudos to Step-up Youth for your amazing creativity and talent !!

Director Konstantinos Farmakas, Director of photography Koulla Karasava