Bali Process Workshop on “Human Trafficking: Victim Support”Bali, Indonesia7-9 November 2006

IOM’s Approach To Victim Support

IOM’s Anti-Trafficking Response

Intergovernmental OrganizationOver 280 field offices in some 100 countries120+ Anti-trafficking projects globallyRights based “victim-centered” approachTrafficked persons should be treated as

victims of a crime not as criminalsVoluntary consent

Victim Protection & Support

What is meant by “Protection”?

Creating the social, political and legal environment that protects the rights of potential victims of trafficking. Keeping victims safe from threat, violence, abuse; Providing for basic needs – shelter, food, medical

and psychological care; Providing legal protection that upholds individual

rights, confidentiality and provides for judicial redress and witness protection

Victim Protection & Support

The Goal of putting in place a protective framework is to implement a victim-centered “rights-based” approach that removes victims from a process of detainment, imprisonment, deportation or expulsion, and moves them to an environment of protection and assistance that ensures their safety and provides for their recovery.

Victim Protection - Through

Interagency CooperationVictim/Child friendly procedures Clear Procedures for Victim IdentificationReferral Systems & Safe Accommodation Provisions for stayMother tongue legal/social supportPsycho-social/health care & counseling Training of Police, Immigration, Social &

Health Services

Victim IdentificationVictim Shelter & RecoveryReturnReintegrationCriminal Justice Response

Victim Protection & Support

Framework of Protection

Sphere of Protection: Victim Safety and Security

Victim Identification

Shelter & Recovery

Return

Reintegration

Victim Identification

Objective: To remove “potential” victims of trafficking from situations of exploitation, imprisonment, detention or detainment and place them in a safe and protective support environment

UN Protocol Definition of TraffickingChild/Victim friendly proceduresClear procedural guidelines protocolsTrained specialists and interviewersGender sensitive approach

Shelter & Recovery

Objective: To provide safe and secure accommodation and related social support for individuals identified as having been victims of trafficking

Food and Accommodation Access to social services Access to Psycho-Social & Basic Medical Support Information gathering Personalized Case File and Recovery Plan

Background, Family Tracing and Assessment Medical/psycho-social assistance and follow-up

Referral Processes

Objective: to link together qualified service providers to facilitate the safe relocation of victims to specialized shelters, safe houses, recovery centers, etc., so they can receive appropriate care and recovery support.

List of cooperating agencies Identified focal points/points of contact among

cooperating agencies Confidential sharing of information Secure transfer Standards of conduct and operational protocols

Referral Processes – Key Considerations

1. Procedures for victim identification: In accordance with international protocols and/or national legislation, criteria should be established and “victim/child friendly” procedures should be put in place for identifying victims of trafficking, that include, where necessary, use of appropriately trained and qualified translators.

2. Removal of identified victims from detention, penal or other such facilities: Victims of trafficking should not be treated as criminals and therefore should be removed from detention/detention-like environments. They should not be locked-up, held behind bars or housed with criminals.

Referral Processes – Key Considerations

3. Procedures for transfer of victims to “safe houses” or temporary transit shelters, to recovery facilities: Identified victims of trafficking should be transferred to appropriate, non-threatening environments. To insure their protection, procedures should be establish within a referral network to facilitate their safe and secure transfer to such facilities – establishment of confidential and secure communication channels, agency focal points, etc., are important considerations.

4. Access to qualified psycho-social, medical, counseling, legal, interpretation and other such support: As noted, the degree of trauma victims suffer varies, as do their individual needs. Establishing a referral network creates a multi-disciplinary framework that can address the individual circumstances and needs of victims of trafficking, though drawing together existing resources and capacities.

Referral Processes – Key Considerations

5. Procedures for the safe and secure return home: Coordination procedures should be established to facilitate the transfer of the victim back to their country/community, with the voluntary consent of the victim. This may require securing appropriate travel documentation, arranging domestic, cross-border or international travel, providing appropriate security measures and escorts, among other logistical needs.

6. Linkages to ongoing recovery and integration support: Victim recovery does not end upon return home. Victims may be in need of follow-up medical care or counseling, reintegration assistance, vocational skills training, etc. Efforts should be made to identify appropriately qualified agencies that can assist with integration back into society.

Role of NGOs

Cooperation with NGOs contributes greatly to the overall strengthening of the anti-trafficking response. NGOs help to bridge capacity gaps through: Provision of shelter Support & Recovery services Witness care and protection Counseling Reintegration support Non-formal education, skills building, vocational

training, among others…

Key Principles to Protection

Trafficking situations vary greatly, as does the form of abuse and trauma inflicted on the victim….

An individualized case management response leads to the successful recovery of the victim…

& Empowers victims of trafficking to

participate in the Criminal Justice Process

Mapping the Process

Agencies Active in Victim Identification

Agencies that Provide Shelter & Recovery

Reintegration Assistance

Agencies involved in Return

Foreign Affairs?

NGOs/IOs?

Police?

Immigration?

Government Shelters?

Immigration?

Social Welfare Dept.?

NGOs/IOs?

Others?

NGO/IO Shelters?

Police?

Others? Consular Affairs?

Others?

Dept. of Health?

Social Welfare Dept.?

Foreign Affairs?

Immigration?

Social Welfare Dept.?

NGOs/IOs?

Others?

Consular Affairs?

Social Welfare Dept.?