Right to protection, justice and safety

You have the right to be protected from danger and from the risk of further harm.

This means that authorities must take steps to:

• Protect your physical and emotional safety
• Reduce the risk of threats, intimidation, or retaliation from traffickers or others
• Make sure any assistance or accommodation you receive is safe and secure
• Take your individual situation and risks into account, especially if regards children or if you are in a particularly vulnerable situation

Your safety must be considered when you are identified as a victim, as well as while you are receiving assistance and support and during any contact with authorities or legal proceedings.

Specialised organisations (such as NGOs or support services) can provide special safe houses set up for women victims and survivors of trafficking. These houses are designed to provide a secure place where you can be protected and supported. In these places, you can stay safely while you get help, advice, and access to services such as medical care, psychological support, and legal assistance.

The people who work in these houses are trained to understand the situation and support you. They will respect your privacy and keep everything confidential. You will also be able to participate in decisions about your stay and the support you receive.

This right exists to ensure that you can recover in safety and dignity, without fear of further harm.

In Finland, you can ask for support from The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking.

(Based on Articles 12 and 28 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and Article 11 of Directive 2011/36/EU)

This protection applies to you if you were forced to travel, but even if you decided to travel, if you had your own passport, false documents, or no documents at all and this is linked to a situation of trafficking. The law also protects you if you were made to do things that are normally illegal under national law. The activities can include situations linked to your documents or activities you were made to carry out by traffickers.

Because of this, you should never be treated as a criminal. Instead, you have the right to protection, support, and help.

This means that:

• You should not be detained, charged, or prosecuted for these acts
• Authorities must take your situation as a victim of trafficking into account

This right exists to protect you from being treated as a criminal when you are actually a victim, and to make sure you can seek help without fear of punishment.

(Based on Article 26 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and Article 8 of Directive 2011/36/EU)

If there is a criminal investigation or court case related to your trafficking situation, you have the right to be protected and supported throughout the process.

This includes:

• Protection based on your personal risk and needs: Authorities must assess your individual situation and take measures to protect your safety during investigations and proceedings.
• Free legal advice and legal representation: to understand your rights and options, you have the right to speak with a lawyer and be represented in the proceedings free of any charge.
• Special treatment to avoid further harm: proceedings must be carried out in a way that avoids causing you additional harm, stress, or fear. This includes limits on questioning, respectful treatment and the possibility for you to decide the steps to take after being fully informed on the different possibilities

These rights exist to make sure that seeking justice does not put you at risk or cause you further suffering.

(Based on Article 12(2), 12(3) and 12(4) of Directive 2011/36/EU)

Once you have been identified as a victim of trafficking, if you want you have the right to seek compensation for harm you suffered as a result, if you choose to follow a criminal proceeding path.

This means that authorities must take steps to help ensure that the person who exploited you pays compensation for the damage caused. Compensation can be claimed during criminal proceedings, without you having to start a separate case.You have the right to free legal support to help and support you through this step Compensation can cover things such as physical and psychological harm, lost income or unpaid work, other damage caused by the exploitation.

This right exists to support your recovery, dignity, and access to justice.

(Based on Article 15 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and Article 17 of Directive 2011/36/EU)

Your private life and identity should be protected and authorities must take steps to do so, especially during investigations and court proceedings. This means that:

• Your name, personal details, and story should not be made public
• Information about you should be shared only when necessary and only with those who need to know
• Your safety, dignity, and wellbeing come first

This right exists to protect you from the risk of retaliation or further harm, and to help you feel safe while receiving support or taking part in any legal process.

(Based on Article 11 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings)