Crime Reduction Toolkits

Trafficking of People

Safety issues

A victim who escapes exploitation and receives shelter and assistance represents a ‘lost investment asset’ in the eyes of the trafficker, and is likely to trigger serious and potentially violent reprisals against the escaped victim. They may do this by taking action on the victim or through threats to the victim’s family. If the victim agrees to become a prosecution witness, the risks are likely to change significantly. The threat to traffickers and exploiters is seriously increased and they will be keen to prevent the victim from giving their testimony.  

Given that the victim will be receiving support, the risk extends to include those who are providing this support and may come between the trafficker and the victim.

A risk assessment therefore needs to be carried out as soon as possible after a trafficking victim has come to notice and then be regularly reviewed. 

Security issues apply to:

§         accommodation (including emergency alarms/video cameras/ immediate access to police if needed);

§         secure transport to/from services/hearings/airports etc;

§         witness protection where indicated. 

Special security issues may relate to children, including their security while being provided with education services, and the fact that they may have been instructed by their traffickers to make contact. It may be appropriate, for example, to provide dedicated education provision in small groups, with chaperoned travel to and from the teaching centre, rather than open attendance at school or college with no protection. 

It needs to be remembered that there are legislative requirements not to restrict the exercise of human rights of victims.