Nearly a thousand are receiving help from the assistance system for victims of human trafficking

The number of clients has more than tripled during the recent years. A year ago, there were 804 people within the scope of services at the end of June. On 30 June 2019 the same number was 587, a year before that it was 379 an in 2017 it was no more than 269.

109 new clients were admitted into the Assistance System at the beginning of 2021. 45 of them had become victims of human trafficking in Finland, while 64 had been exploited outside Finland.

Persons who became victims of human trafficking in Finland had most commonly been exploited in forced labour, prostitution or sexual slavery, forced marriage or in forced criminal activity. Forced labour was typically identified in the restaurant and cleaning industries, but individual cases were identified in other industries, as well.

Victims who had been exploited in Finland found their way to the Assistance System most often through their own request for help or were referred to assistance by Victim Support Finland. Those exploited outside Finland were typically identified and referred to the Assistance System by the Finnish Immigration Service.

This information is contained in the semiannual report of the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking published today (in Finnish).

Facts: What does the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking do?

• The Assistance System is a center of excellence in the identification and assistance of victims of human trafficking.
• The purpose of the Assistance System is to help trafficking victims, their underage children, and persons who assist in investigating trafficking offences. It helps both Finnish and foreign victims of human trafficking equally.
• The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking is an authority that offers its clients advice and guidance, social services, healthcare services, reception allowance or social assistance, safe accommodation as well as interpretation and translation services.
• If the client wishes to go back to their home country, they receive assistance for voluntary return.
• The client also receives the statutory legal aid and legal advice.
• The Assistance System operates in connection with Joutseno Reception Centre. It has four offices in Finland (Lappeenranta, Helsinki. Oulu and Tampere).
• The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking has been operating since 2006. It is part of the Finnish Immigration Service and operates under the Ministry of the Interior.
• The Assistance System maintains the national website humantrafficking.fi and a 24/7 helpline at +358 2954 63 177.
• The system should be referred to as the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking or the Assistance System.
• For more information, visit www.ihmiskauppa.fi