What is human trafficking?
Trafficking in persons means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
What might indicate that we are dealing with human trafficking?
- Person has no documents, only a copy or false documents; says documents were taken from him/her.
- Person has returned from work abroad and has no money; has not been paid for work, has been paid partially or has only received money for food.
- Person did a job other than the one agreed before departure, someone arranged work for him/her for a prior fee (paid for agency), arranged transport.
- A person was forced to work, to engage in sexual activities, to beg or to commit crimes.
- Person has had limited or no access to medical assistance, toilet facilities, food, clothing, sanitary articles.
- Person has injuries that may result from restricted freedom of movement (e.g. abrasions on wrists or ankle).
- Person has not been able to communicate freely with family (e.g. texting or answering calls or has only been able to make calls under third-party supervision) or has been completely isolated from family.
- The person was subject to scrutiny or high penalties for minor offences (e.g. missing for not working out the daily limit, for poor dress, displeasing a client).
- The person was bound by debt repayment (for transport, documents, stay, food or protection).
- Person could not finish work and go home when they wanted, could not refuse to do certain things, threatened with punishment.
- Person has a fear of talking openly about what happened, gives the impression of behaving according to imposed instructions.
- People who have experienced trafficking can come forward for help, regardless of their nationality and legal status.
In the case of difficulties in identifying the victim, it is advisable to contact and consult a non-governmental organisation recommended by the Team for Counteracting Trafficking in Human Beings.
- National Intervention and Consultation Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings(KCIK)
tel. +48 22 628 01 20,
+48 605 687 750,
e-mail: kcik@strada.org.pl.
- Foundation Against Trafficking in Human Beings and Slavery La Strada
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