Trafficking and Exploitation Support

WHAT IS IT?

Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. 

Human Trafficking and Exploitation support encompasses a range of services and resources aimed at assisting victims of human trafficking and exploitation. 

These services include counseling, legal advice, emergency shelters, hotlines and repatriation. The primary goal is to empower victims, ensure their safety, and help them break free from abusive situations.

HOW DO I KNOW SOMEONE IS BEING TRAFFICKED? 

1. Restricted Freedom of Movement

Victims are often confined to certain locations, such as a workplace or residence, or prevented from moving freely. They may not have access to their own identification documents, like passports or IDs, as traffickers often withhold these to prevent escape.

2. Isolation and Lack of Personal Freedom

Traffickers often isolate victims from friends, family, or the outside world, either physically or by controlling communication. Victims might appear unable to speak for themselves or show signs of being closely monitored by another person.

3. Signs of Abuse and Control

Physical signs, such as unexplained injuries or bruises, may indicate abuse. Psychological symptoms, including extreme fear, anxiety, depression, or PTSD, can also be indicators, as traffickers use threats or violence to maintain control.

4. Limited or No Compensation

If the person is working but does not control their own income, or if they’re being forced to work excessively long hours for little to no pay, they might be in a trafficking situation. Traffickers often use "debt bondage," where they claim the victim must work off a large debt but continually add to it, making it impossible to pay off.

5. False Promises and Misleading Opportunities

Trafficking situations often begin with false promises of a better life, a high-paying job, or an opportunity abroad. Victims may have been deceived about the nature of the job or the conditions they would face.

6. Fear of Law Enforcement or Deportation

Traffickers often manipulate victims by instilling fear of law enforcement, threatening them with arrest, deportation, or separation from their families if they try to seek help. Victims may avoid law enforcement or seem extremely fearful of legal authorities.

7. Malnourishment and Poor Living Conditions

Many victims live in overcrowded, unsafe conditions or lack access to basic necessities like food, water, or medical care.

8. Inconsistent Stories or Difficulty with Communication

Victims may seem unsure, confused, or controlled when describing their situation, possibly due to trauma or fear of retaliation from traffickers. They may have scripted answers or lack basic knowledge about their surroundings, location, or the current time.

9. Dependency on Trafficker

In many cases, traffickers create a dependency by withholding basic needs, like food, shelter, or medical care, or by fostering emotional or financial dependence.