1. REFERRAL OF AND ASSITANCE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
IN BELGIUM

2. C O N T E N T I N T R O D U C T I O N S T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L
A N A C T U A L C A S E
Q U E S T I O N S

3. I N T R O D U C T I O N S

4. A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
BELGIAN CASE STUDY
A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e

5. A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
BELGIAN CASE STUDY
A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
“A victim of Human Trafficking with the Hungarian nationality
is found on your territory.”

6. A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
BELGIAN CASE STUDY
A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
“A victim of Human Trafficking with the Hungarian nationality
is found on your territory.”
How to help this person adequately

7. A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
BELGIAN CASE STUDY
A n a c t u a l p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e
“A victim of Human Trafficking with the Hungarian nationality
is found on your territory.”
How to help this person adequately
What actors need to be engaged

8. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L MIGRATION OFFICE P A Y O K E
THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
POLICE
SOCIAL INSPECTION
MIGRATION OFFICE
P A Y O K E
P A G – A S A
S Ü R Y A

9. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L NGO JUSTICE DEP. MIGRATION OFFICE
Indicators of victim of Human Trafficking
Reflection period of 45 d.
Intake in shelter to gain trust.
Initial declaration leads to investigation of human trafficking
Temporary documents of 3 months (once renewable)
Victim remains in shelter and starts looking for private studio/ appartment
Ongoing investigation
Temporary residence for 6 months (renewable)
Victims sees her assistent regularly
Case is sent to court for human trafficking
Victim gets permanent stay
Counselling ends

10. AN ACTUAL CASE

11. A young woman stops a passing car.
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 1 -
A young woman stops a passing car.
She is scarcely dressed and speaks a foreign language.
She appears to be in a panic / shock.
She has no possessions on her person.
She bears no means of identification.
She constantly repeats “Airport” in bad English.

12. You are first on the scene
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 1 -
A young woman stops a passing car.
She is scarcely dressed and speaks a foreign language.
She appears to be in a panic / shock.
She has no possessions on her person.
She bears no means of identification.
She constantly repeats “Airport” in bad English.
You are first on the scene

13. You are first on the scene
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 1 -
A young woman stops a passing car.
She is scarcely dressed and speaks a foreign language.
She appears to be in a panic / shock.
She has no possessions on her person.
She bears no means of identification.
She constantly repeats “Airport” in bad English.
You are first on the scene
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

14. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L First alleviation Attempt identification
Check police files
Contact magistrate
Contact interpreter
Organise medical check up
Offer multilingual brochure
Wait for interpreter
Keep everybody calm
Not relevant yet.
P O L I C E
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 1 -

15. The victim has arrived at a secure location / police station
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 2 -
The victim has arrived at a secure location / police station
An interpreter is present.
The victim states to have worked as a prostitute.
She claims to have escaped from her pimp.
Her pimp is a compatriot from the same region where she was born.
She is afraid of retribution in her homeland.
The woman is petrified, unable to think clearly at this moment in time.

16. The victim refuses to give an official statement out of fear
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 2 -
The victim has arrived at a secure location / police station
An interpreter is present.
The victim states to have worked as a prostitute.
She claims to have escaped from her pimp.
Her pimp is a compatriot from the same region where she was born.
She is afraid of retribution in her homeland.
The woman is petrified, unable to think clearly at this moment in time.
The victim refuses to give an official statement out of fear

17. The victim refuses to give an official statement out of fear
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 2 -
The victim has arrived at a secure location / police station
An interpreter is present.
The victim states to have worked as a prostitute.
She claims to have escaped from her pimp.
Her pimp is a compatriot from the same region where she was born.
She is afraid of retribution in her homeland.
The woman is petrified, unable to think clearly at this moment in time.
The victim refuses to give an official statement out of fear
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

18. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L Start official police file.
Contact magistrate.
First conversation with victim is confidential.
Victim → NGO
Start investigation without victim statement.
If magistrate agrees, start procedure migration office.
Shelter is prepared.
Victim is entitled to:
Financial aid
Psychological aid
Legal help
Medical help
P O L I C E
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 2 -
Besproken met Patrick dat we deze eerste fase door de politie laten doen in ons voorbeeld. Het gaat ons anders te ver leiden

19. The victim is transferred to a specialised shelter.
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 3 -
The victim is transferred to a specialised shelter.
She enters a time of reflection. (max 45 days)
She must decide if she wants to be recognised as a victim of THB.
She must decide if she wants to make an official statement,
incriminating her exploiters

20. Should the police pressurise a rapid official statement
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 3 -
The victim is transferred to a specialised shelter.
She enters a time of reflection. (max 45 days)
She must decide if she wants to be recognised as a victim of THB.
She must decide if she wants to make an official statement,
incriminating her exploiters
Should the police pressurise a rapid official statement

21. Should the police pressurise a rapid official statement
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 3 -
The victim is transferred to a specialised shelter.
She enters a time of reflection. (max 45 days)
She must decide if she wants to be recognised as a victim of THB.
She must decide if she wants to make an official statement,
incriminating her exploiters
Should the police pressurise a rapid official statement
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

22. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L Allow NGO to gain confidence of victim
Police does not pressurise
Investigation continues without victim statement
Social workers visit victim every day.
She/he is allowed to find peace.
A trustful relationship between victim and social worker(s) is established.
In a constructive manner probing for cooperation.
P O L I C E
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 3 -
Besproken met Patrick dat we deze eerste fase door de politie laten doen in ons voorbeeld. Het gaat ons anders te ver leiden

23. The victim wants to obtain the official status of “victim THB”.
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 4 -
The victim wants to obtain the official status of “victim THB”.
She is prepared to cooperate with police and justice department.
She has one condition:
Her child and grandmother must be protected from possible retributions

24. Can you guaranty protection in a foreign country?
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 4 -
The victim wants to obtain the official status of “victim THB”.
She is prepared to cooperate with police and justice department.
She has one condition:
Her child and grandmother must be protected from possible retributions
Can you guaranty protection in a foreign country?

25. Can you guaranty protection in a foreign country?
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 4 -
The victim wants to obtain the official status of “victim THB”.
She is prepared to cooperate with police and justice department.
She has one condition:
Her child and grandmother must be protected from possible retributions
Can you guaranty protection in a foreign country?
WHAT CAN YOU OFFER THE VICTIM?

26. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L
Collect info on victims family.
Contact police in country of origin about victims family.
Give feedback to victim.
Collect info on victims family through conversation.
Contact police with victims requests / conditions.
If official contact with family is established, the victim can personally check safety over phone.
P O L I C E
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 4 -
Besproken met Patrick dat we deze eerste fase door de politie laten doen in ons voorbeeld. Het gaat ons anders te ver leiden

27. AN ACTUAL CASE
- 5 -
She is willing to accept the status “victim of THB” and gives an official statement.
“She was recruited by men from her own village
She was taken to unknown places by car.
She has worked in the sex-industry in Belgium and the Netherlands.
She stayed in hotels, along with other Hungarian girls.
Identification and personal belongings where taken from her.
She was allowed to keep a cell phone to stay in touch with her pimp.
Hungarian suspects seem to organise their activities from within Hungary.”

28. What happens if she accepts the status “victim of THB”?
AN ACTUAL CASE
- 5 -
She is willing to accept the status “victim of THB” and gives an official statement.
“She was recruited by men from her own village
She was taken to unknown places by car.
She has worked in the sex-industry in Belgium and the Netherlands.
She stayed in hotels, along with other Hungarian girls.
Identification and personal belongings where taken from her.
She was allowed to keep a cell phone to stay in touch with her pimp.
Hungarian suspects seem to organise their activities from within Hungary.”
What happens if she accepts the status “victim of THB”?

29. T H E B E L G I A N M O D E L
Take full official statement from victim.
NGO confidant is present during interrogation.
Inform magistrate concerning cooperation of victim.
Investigation continues with new info.
If victim agrees to give full official statement, contact police
Info can be handed over to police in advance to prepare interrogation.
We are present and support the victim during the interrogation.
P O L I C E
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 5 -
Besproken met Patrick dat we deze eerste fase door de politie laten doen in ons voorbeeld. Het gaat ons anders te ver leiden

30. TEMPORARY STAY (3 months renewable)
Statements have been provided
Victim agrees to work with one of the specialized centres
Victim has broken off all contact with suspected offender(s)
She/he is allowed to find peace.
A trustful relationship between victim and social worker(s) is established.
Education/Language courses are offered
She has a right to work
CONDITIONS
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 6 -

31. TEMPORARY STAY (6 months renewable)
VoT agrees to cooperate with investigation
VoT is counselled by a specialized centre
Victim has broken off all contact with suspected offender(s)
The case is ongoing
Prosecutor considers him/her as a possible VoT
VoT is no threat to public order
She/he will move to his own apartment
counselling continues on a regular basis
Social welfare is provided until he/she has a steady income
When case goes to court legal will be offered
CONDITIONS
C A R E S E R V I C E S
- 7 -

32. ADDITIONAL VARIABLES The victim refuses to give an official statement
AN ACTUAL CASE
ADDITIONAL VARIABLES
The victim refuses to give an official statement
The victim is willing to give an official statement
But she/he wants to go home, leave the country,
immediately after the statement

33. Q U E S T I O N S