Cooperation helps combat human trafficking

According to the statistics of the National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (NAS), during the first half of this year, 185 new referrals were entered in the NAS, which is 19% more than at the same time last year. However, the number remains at an average level. The system admitted 88 new victims of trafficking as clients. The most common forms of exploitation were forced marriage (34%), forced labour (31%), and sexual exploitation (27%). 

"The increase in the proportion of forced marriages on this list shows that the phenomenon is recognised and that the actors in the sector are vigilant, as trafficking is recognised nationally better than before. Our statutory task is to guide, advise, and train parties that might encounter human trafficking. In the spring, we organised regional workshops in five municipalities to teach how to identify trafficking and better help its victims. National cooperation produces results," says Katri Lyijynen, Deputy Director of the National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking.

Of the new clients, 42 had become victims of trafficking in Finland. About half of them were victims of forced labour. The proportion of forced marriage and sexual abuse in forms of trafficking were about one fifth each. The persons who had become victims in Finland represented 24 nationalities and seven were Finnish nationals. As many as 71 per cent of the victims in Finland were women. 

"Trafficking in human beings is often a crime that crosses borders, so international cooperation is useful. We participate actively in international networks aimed at sharing information and promoting the identification of child victims and access to help, among other things. Cooperation is the best way to combat human trafficking," says Terhi Tafari, Senior Adviser of the NAS.

At the end of June, a total of 1,588 people were registered in the system, of whom 1,323 were identified victims and 265 were their underage children. There were 21 minors among the victims. Approximately two thirds of the victims of trafficking were women. 

The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (NAS), which has been in operation since 2006, is a national centre of excellence and expert authority in the work against human trafficking. It is operated by the Joutseno reception centre, which is part of the Finnish Immigration Service. The purpose of the NAS is to help victims of trafficking in human beings and their minor children as well as persons assisting in the investigation of trafficking in human beings. It helps both Finnish and foreign victims of human trafficking equally. The NAS maintains the nationwide ihmiskauppa.fi website and the 24/7 infoline at 0295 463 177.

For more information, please contact:

Until 31st July:

Veikko Mäkelä
Senior Adviser,
Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking
0295 463 242
veikko.makela@migri.fi

As of 4th August:

Terhi Tafari 
Senior Adviser, Team Leader
Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking
0295 463 240 
terhi.tafari@migri.fi

Minna Lehtipuu
Communications Specialist
Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking
0295 434 240
minna.lehtipuu@migri.fi