Standard Operating Procedures for ADULT Victims of Trafficking

MEASURE 1.4.

REFERRAL

After a person has been identified as a victim of trafficking and their immediate needs have been defined, the person needs to be referred to the respective programmes and services included in the NRM. Safe referral guarantees that the care and services which will be provided will not harm the person.

Step 1. Informed consent about the referral to another organisation

The trafficked person needs to be informed about the possibilities to receive support in accordance with the needs as stated. The trafficked person may choose (inasmuch as the available services allow for it) to which organisation to be referred to. The places of referral are agreed upon in the support and safety plan. The trafficked person should give their consent before contact is made with another organisation. Victims of trafficking may refuse referral or disclosure to other people of any facts related to their trafficking experience.

Step 2. Contacting the organisation to which the trafficked person is referred

The organisation to which the victim is referred must be properly notified about the victim’s arrival. The way the victim will be met – where, at what time, and by whom – should also be arranged in advance.

During the referral, it is assessed if the accepting organisation has the necessary resources to work on the case. The information provided to the receiving organisation is limited only to what is necessary for the adequate provision of the planned services. The trafficked person should agree on what and how much information is shared with the other organisation. Exceptions are made only regarding information related to risks for the life and well-being of the trafficked person, their family, employees of the service provider, or other people. This information must be shared with the receiving organisation.

It is recommendable for the victim, if possible, to contact in advance (via telephone, SKYPE, VIBER) a representative of the receiving organisation.

Step 3. Accompanying the trafficked person to the organisation to which the person is referred

Depending on the risk level, the trafficked person can go to the receiving organisation on their own, be accompanied by an employee of the referring institution or, in the case of high risk, be accompanied by MoI officers

Step 4. Feedback from the receiving organisation

The referral process ends with feedback from the receiving organisation about how the victim was accommodated/admitted and what the next steps of the work are.

Step 5: When referral is not possible

Referral cannot be made in the following situations: There is too high a risk for the trafficked person to be moved. The trafficked person does not want to be referred and prefers to end the contact. In such cases, the victim of trafficking is provided with as much information as possible about:
  • The crime of trafficking in human beings;
  • Their rights as a victim of trafficking;
  • The right to keep the situation of trafficking secret from other people;
  • The possibilities to receive support;
  • The places where they can turn for support in the country/place of residence later;
  • The legislation they can benefit from;
  • Others.
COOPERATION
DOCUMENTATION
REFERRAL
DETERMINING IMMEDIATE NEEDS
RISK ASSESSMENT
IDENTIFICATION

1

Social Inclusion (Re-integration)

2

Protection and Support

3

Identification and Referral