Male victims of human trafficking in Austria A study on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection in the framework of the Third National Action Plan On Combating Human Trafficking Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Background of the study Point III.7 the Third National Action Plan On Combating Human Trafficking provides for the „research and analysis of national and international players’ experiences regarding services and facilities/institutions for male victims of human trafficking“ Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Content/Topics Media analysis Expert interviews Conclusions Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Data on male victims of human trafficking in Austria Police Criminal Statistics : 29 male victims (out of 73) in cases of Human Trafficking (CC s.104a – MISDEMEANORS) 15 male victims (out of 772) in cases of Transnational Prostitution (CC s.217) Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Male Victims in the Study “COMP.ACT AUSTRIA. Possibilities to Obtain Compensation for Trafficked Persons in Austria” (Julia Planitzer, Evelyn Probst, et al. 2012) Systematic analysis of 76 Austrian court cases on the topic of human trafficking (CC s.104a, CC s.217 and relevant other sections) brought to light six male victims. None of the men had received victim assistance services. This was of particular importance since the study revealed that the outcome of court proceedings was depending on whether victims were able to receive assistance services or not. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Data from „countries of origin“ IOM Kiev reported on an increase of identified male victims in trafficking in Ukraine and Belarus in the last years. In some of the last years, in these countries and Moldova, IOM and La Strada recorded more men than women as identified victims of human trafficking. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Experiences of relief agencies Germany: occassional contact with male victims by the KOK-member-organizations. Ireland: MRCI provided care for 60 men in 7 years Belgium: PAYOKE reported 72 male and 78 female cases in England: Salvation Army came in contact with 378 victims, 41% of them were male. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Expert Interviews: Sample of the Study 21 Interviews with: police experts heads of control autorithies experts from care facilities for VHT streetworkers and social workers NGOs lawyer, legal scholar, journalist, politicians Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Results of the expert interviews There exist cases & suspected cases of male VHT Offences are hard to be proven by prosecutors Identification of men as VHT has gender based diffculties Awareness raising and trainings for authorities, social workers … are necessary Information and outreach work in immigrant networks and high-risk industries are needed. Need for a (Special) support for men as VHT Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Cases and supected cases Most interviewed experts refered to cases or at least suspected cases of male VHT in Austria. Several NGOs and counselling centers have already come into contact with affected men. Supposed high-risk industries for the trafficking of men in Austria: construction, cleaning, agricultural work, sex work and catering. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Offences are hard to be proven Police: In dozens cases of suspected human trafficking it is very difficult to gather enough evidence. Prosecutors refer to more provable offences than CC s. 217 and 104 a like illegal labour or exploitation of a foreigner. According to the officials, male presumed victims of HT mostly refuse to stand witness against their perpetrators. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

The difficulty to identify men as victims Experts assume that men get rarely identified as affected by exploitation because of … their own fear and shame because of the common (self-)attribution of men as „doer“ (illegal workers) rather than as „victims“ because of the lack of knowledge of indicators for human trafficking in related social work fields, control authorities etc. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Awareness raising and trainings Experts acknowledged the importance of spreading awareness. The austrian police already trains officers on the topic of HT. The representatives of other authorities and facilities feel the need to start with trainings to be able to identify VHT. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Information and outreach work Apart from awareness raising, experts find it crucial to reach out to affected men and inform them about their support offers. Outreach work Immigrant networks and medical assistance as keys to get in contact with affected men Appropriate information material and channels Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

(Special) support for men as VHT Several experts endorse a specific supportive entity for male victims Experts believe, it could encourage affected men to identify themselves as victims and search for aid. Police officers claim the need of an easy to reach cooperation partner (24/7 helpline). Experts from control authorities and counsellors would send presumed victims to an established center. Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna

Needed skills and resources According to the Experts a Center for male VHT has to provide: Expertise in crisis intervention and psychological support Intercultural, gender reflected skills to build trust Interpretation/translation resources Safe accommodations in cooperation with existing facilities Knowledge and resources for individual first aid kits Cooperation with advisory bodies on labour, social law and immigration issues Assistance in legal procedures in cooperation with existing facilities Intense cooperation with support institutions for female victims of HT Men’s Health Centre (Männergesundheitszentrum) Social Medicine Centre South (SMZ Süd)/Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna