site.btaInteractive Escape Truck Raises Awareness of Human Trafficking

An interactive Escape Truck has arrived in Bulgaria for the first time as part of a national campaign to prevent sexual and labour exploitation. The initiative, organized by the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB), will run until October 9.

The Commission's Secretary, Daniela Saveklieva, told BTA: "Human trafficking is an extremely serious crime. It is a crime against the individual and against human dignity. For us, prevention is key. It is vital to raise awareness of this problem and to remind people that anyone looking for opportunities and a better future could find themselves at risk."

She explained that the escape room was designed to closely reflect the real situations faced by trafficking victims. The project was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Justice of the Netherlands, its diplomatic mission in Bulgaria, and the Netherlands national police.

According to Martijn Straathof from the Reshape Foundation, the initiative aims to help young people and the public in general better understand the risks of human trafficking.

He said the truck highlights three storylines: sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and labour exploitation. In Bulgaria, the initiative focuses on sexual and labour exploitation. When people experience something firsthand, hear real stories, and engage with them through a game, followed by a conversation with professionals, it can genuinely change behaviour, according to Straathof.

The campaign will travel to 11 cities across the country: Sofia, Botevgrad, Montana, Lukovit, Pleven, Blagoevgrad, Sandanski, Petrich, Kardzhali, Burgas and Varna. In total, 13 events will take place, all centred on raising awareness of human trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation.

Inside the game, participants must escape the room by solving interactive puzzles and cracking codes. Their mission is to help a virtual character, a victim of exploitation, break free from a hopeless situation. The room is designed to recreate the harsh conditions victims often face, with scenarios inspired by real-life stories of survivors who have managed to escape and find support. In this way, the escape room serves as a tool for prevention, raising awareness and drawing attention to the issue, especially among those most at risk.