Drafters should include provisions addressing benefits and services for the physical, psychological and social needs of trafficking victims. (See: UN Trafficking Protocol, Art.6, para.3; Polaris Project Model Comprehensive State Legislation to Combat Trafficking in Persons, 3.9, 2006; Model Provisions for State Anti-Trafficking Laws, Center for Women and Public Policy, Protections for Trafficking Victims Proposed Language, 6, 2005; State Model Law on Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking, Division D, 2005)

Module 3 of the UNODC Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners discusses the psychological impact of the trafficking experience and its effect on trafficking victims. (See: UNODC Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners, Module 3, 2009)

Benefits and services should include case management, housing, healthcare, language interpretation (as needed), legal services, and educational and training opportunities.  In 2008 and 2009, the Bulgarian “Animus Association” created vocational training programs recognizing the importance of reintegrating trafficking victims into the economy. (See: Response to outreach letter by the “Animus Association,” February 2010)

Housing services should include emergency, transitional and permanent housing facilities. Healthcare services should address the trafficking victims’ pre-existing health issues and the immediate and long-term consequences of the trafficking experience, including substance abuse and chemical dependency treatment. Trafficking victims should be provided access to legal services, including both immigration and criminal defense attorneys. (See: Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota, Recommendation 2.1, 2008)

CASE STUDY: In Albania, the non-governmental organization “Different & Equal” published a report in June 2009 entitled “Study on Social-Economic Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking in Albania,” which was based on interviews with trafficking victim service providers and trafficking victims themselves. The study also relied upon secondary research. The report summarized the two primary types of assistance available to trafficking victims in Albania, which includes both residential and non-residential programs. 

The Albanian government created the National Reception Center for Victims of Trafficking (NRCVT), which provides secure housing to those who have been or are at risk of being trafficked. Another reception center called “Life and Hope” is located on the border with Greece and provides assistance for a period of sever to ten days for those arriving at the border. The non-governmental organizations “Different & Equal”, “Vatra”, and “Another Vision” provide independent or semi-independent housing. In addition, these organizations recognize the importance of both transitional and long-term housing and assistance by providing assistance in three phases:  initial assistance to address the trafficking victim’s immediate needs; mid-term assistance to support the trafficking victims in creating a semi-independent life; and long-term assistance to reintegrate the trafficking victim into the community, but with monitoring and follow-up support. Non-residential assistance from non-governmental organizations and government institutions is also available to trafficking victims and includes: legal assistance; psychological counseling; employment assistance; medical assistance; and more.

The non-governmental organizations mentioned here have joined with the NRCVT to create a National Coalition of Albanian Shelters (NCASh) and to develop standards for providing assistance to trafficking victims. Other positive developments mentioned in the report include more formalized cooperation mechanisms based on memorandums of understanding between the National Anti-Trafficking Coordination Office and non-governmental organizations; a System of Total Information Management (TIM); a Commission for Data Protection; training on human trafficking for municipalities; and a program that provides micro-loans to trafficking victim’s business enterprises. 

Although a great deal of progress has been made in Albania, the June 2009 report contained a number of recommendations for improving the response to trafficking including both continued government and also private funding of housing and shelters, financial compensation for victims provided by a state fund, decentralization and localization of support for victims, increased attention to employment for victims and to monitoring employers to ensure they aren’t exploiting workers, free health services for victims, witness protection, and attention to the children of trafficking victims, among other recommendations. (See: Response from Different & Equal, February 2010; Study on Social-Economic Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking in Albania, 2009)

Benefits and services should be provided whether or not trafficking victims participate in the investigation and prosecution of the suspected trafficker.  Services should also be provided regardless of immigration status. (See: UN Trafficking Protocol, Art. 6, paras. 2-4) Services should begin once a trafficking victim is identified; continue for the duration of any criminal, civil or other actions against suspected traffickers; and last until the trafficking victim has recovered. (See: Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota, Recommendation 2.1, 2008)

The government should dedicate funding for benefits and services, which may be granted to non-governmental organizations equipped to provide such assistance to trafficking victims. Several countries have dedicated such funds. The Czech Republic allocated $283,000 to non-governmental organizations to provide comprehensive assistance and shelter to 76 victims in 2008. (See: U.S. State Department 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, 120, 2009) The United Kingdom directed $1.95 million to a sex trafficking victim shelter. (See: U.S. State Department 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, 294, 2009) In Denmark, the government directed almost $1.7 million to non-governmental organizations to offer medical and legal assistance, rehabilitative counseling and shelter to victims. (See: U.S. State Department 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, 121, 2009) The Republic of Korea provided $10.9 million for victim assistance to counseling centers, group homes and shelters providing medical and legal assistance, counseling and occupational training to victims. (See: U.S. State Department 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, 177-178, 2009) 

 Promising Practice: In its 2006 report to the CEDAW Committee, Serbia noted that it had set up a “Safe Home for Victims of Human Trade” in February 2002. The shelter was providing accommodations to women and under-aged victims of trafficking. As of the date of its report, the shelter had assisted 88 foreign nationals and 8 citizens. (See: Initial Report of Serbia, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, 30, paragraph 158, 2006)