No more suffering in silence

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Humanitarian Studies

Background:

• Humanitarian volunteers provide essential support to vulnerable populations.
• Destitution centres offer critical services to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Human trafficking is a hidden crime affecting individuals seeking help.

Purpose of the Study:

• To raise awareness of human trafficking among humanitarian workers.
• To understand the experiences of human trafficking victims accessing support services.
• To advocate for improved identification and support protocols for trafficking survivors.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data collection through client interaction.
• Case study approach focusing on a specific victim's experience.
• Analysis of support service provision in a London destitution centre.

Main Results:

• A client at a London destitution centre disclosed being a victim of human trafficking.
• Human trafficking victims may present at general support services seeking assistance.
• There is a need for enhanced training for frontline workers to identify trafficking indicators.

Conclusions:

• Humanitarian settings can be crucial points for identifying human trafficking victims.
• Improved training and protocols are necessary for effective victim identification and referral.
• Addressing human trafficking requires a multi-sectoral approach involving social services and legal aid.