Identification of victims of trafficking in human beings in international protection and forced return procedures (EMN Inform)

This Inform summarizes the main findings of the corresponding EMN study, which aimed at examining whether and how victims of trafficking are detected/identified in international protection and forced return procedures and further referred to specific procedures.

Background information

This EMN Inform summarises the main findings of the EMN Focussed Study concerning the identification of victims of trafficking in human beings specifically in international protection procedures and – where it concerns former applicants of international protection – in forced return procedures.

Inform: some findings

  • Data sources are inconsistent and incomplete making it difficult to give a comprehensive picture of the scope of the problem at EU level. Nonetheless there is evidence of victims going unidentified and this may mean they are not granted the protection and/or assistance available to them under EU law.
  • Proactive methods of detection in (Member) States can be considered good practice (screening, training, facilitation of self-reporting etc.)
  • Many (Member) States logically place greater emphasis on detection in international protection procedures than in forced return procedures, in order to detect victims at the earliest stage possible.
  • All (Member) States offer the possibility to refer identified victims onto service providers for support and some offer a choice of protection possibilities.

The Inform provides additional information inter alia on (i) the scale and scope of the problem, (ii) how victims are detected (including in Dublin procedures) and what happens next, (iii) training provided to authorities responsible for international protection and forced return, (iv) what systems of referral are in place for protection/residence purposes.

Publication Date:
Thu 14 Aug 2014
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