What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking means recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving persons, using threats or force, or using any other form of coercion, abduction, fraud, misrepresentation, abuse of power or exploitation of weakness, giving or receiving payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
What might indicate that there is human trafficking?
– A person does not have documents, has only a copy of documents or false documents; says the documents were taken from him.
– A person has returned from working abroad and has no money; has not been paid for the work, has been paid partially, or has only received money for food.
– The person did a job other than the one agreed upon before departure; someone arranged for the person to work for a fee in advance (paid for an intermediary), arranged transportation.
– A person was forced to work, engage in sexual activities, beg or commit crimes.
– The person had limited or no access to medical assistance, toilet, food, clothing, sanitary articles.
– The person has injuries that may have resulted from restricted freedom of movement (e.g., abrasions on the wrists or ankle).
– The person was not allowed free contact with the family (e.g., texting or answering calls, or could only make calls under third-party supervision) or was completely isolated from the family.
– The person was subject to scrutiny or high penalties for small infractions (e.g., missing for not working out the daily limit, for poor dress, displeasing a customer).
– The person was bound by debt repayment (for transportation, documents, residence, food or protection).
– A person could not finish work and go home when he or she wanted to, could not refuse to do certain activities, and was threatened with punishment for doing so.
– The person has a fear of speaking openly about what happened, gives the impression of behaving according to imposed orders.
People who have experienced trafficking can come forward for help, regardless of their citizenship and legal status.
In case of difficulties in identifying the victim, it is advisable to contact and consult a non-governmental organization recommended by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Team.
National Intervention and Consultation Center for Victims of Human Trafficking(KCIK)
tel. +48 22 628 01 20,
+48 605 687 750,
e-mail: kcik@strada.org.pl.
La Strada Foundation Against Human Trafficking and Slavery
La Strada operates a Helpline (help, advice): 22 628 99 99.
Maria Immaculate Association PoMOC for Women and Children
tel. 32 255 38 69
Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę Foundation (former FDN)
tel. 22 616 02 68