A record-high number of victims of human trafficking in Finland entered in the assistance system for victims of human trafficking
A record-high number of new customers were entered in the assistance system for victims of human trafficking in 2019. Of the 229 new customers, 70 were estimated to have become victims of exploitation indicative of human trafficking in Finland. The number is much higher than in the previous years.
It was estimated that most of the victims of exploited in Finland were subject to forced labour. in the restaurant and cleaning industries and construction sites. Signs of forced labour have also been detected in the conditions of person hired as home help by private families as well as in work done in farms. A total 33 persons possibly subjected to force labour in Finland were entered as new customers in 2019.
Persons other than Finnish citizens have been identified as victims of forced labour, though Finns are occasionally also encountered among employers.
It is estimated that 20 persons exploited in Finland have become subject to human trafficking related to forced marriage. The figure includes cases where marriage was entered into or was demanded in Finland and cases where marriage began abroad and continued after the family arrived in Finland. Many of the cases are revealed when the authorities intervene with intimate partner violence. In fact, the police, reception centres and shelters play a key role in identifying the victims of forced marriage.
Forced begging, forced criminal activity and human trafficking related to sexual exploitation were also detected in Finland in 2019.
These statistics were revealed during the latest review of the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (in Finnish).
Contacts from victims and worried citizens
In 2019, the assistance system received an increasing number of contacts from persons suspecting that they had become subject to human trafficking or other exploitation in Finland.
Sometimes those contacting the assistance system only wish to consider their situation and alternatives. In such cases, the assistance system offers discussion aid and guidance. The person contacting the system can also be referred to other services if they have not become the victim of human trafficking or cannot escape from the situation.
Contacts from worried citizens have also increased considerably during the year. Somebody may have noticed that a familiar employee in a diner is tired and constantly working. A sex-buyer may have become concerned about the situation of the person having sold sex.
"Different ways of dealing with the situation are discussed with the caller, as well as whether the matter could be reported to the authorities, such as the police or the occupational safety and health department of the regional state administrative agency. A solution is often found through discussion, says Senior Adviser Katri Lyijynen.
Number of customers doubled in two years
There were a total 676 people within the scope of the assistance system’s services on 31 December 2019. Of them, 521 were entered in the assistance system because they may have become victims of human trafficking. 48 of them were accepted as clients as minors, though a much larger group had been exploited when minors.
In addition, 155 minor children of a total of 521 customers are within the scope of the services.
A total of 455 people were within the scope of the services on 31 December 2018 and 322 at the same time in 2017. This means that the number of customers has more than doubled in two years.
Most of the customers have become victims of human trafficking outside Finland, though they are still in need of assistance in Finland due to their often long-term exploitation. The share of persons exploited abroad of all customers is 60–70 per cent a year.
Most commonly a person exploited abroad has been a victim of human trafficking involving sexual abuse. In Finland, this type of human trafficking is still recognised very poorly.
Fact: What does the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking do?
- The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking is responsible for helping people who have become victims of human trafficking, their underage children, and the persons assisting with the investigation. The system assists both Finnish and foreign victims of human trafficking equally.
- The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking is an authority that provides its clients with advice and guidance, social services, healthcare services, a reception allowance or income support, safe accommodation, and interpretation and translation services.
- If a client wants to return to their home country, assistance will be provided for voluntary return.
- Clients also receive legal assistance and legal counselling.
- The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking operates out of the Joutseno Reception Centre and has three offices in Finland (Lappeenranta, Helsinki and Oulu).
- The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking has operated since 2006. It is part of the Finnish Immigration Service and operates under the Ministry of the Interior.
- The Assistance System maintains the national ihmiskauppa.fi website and has a 24/7 info hotline in the number +358 2954 63 177.
- The assistance system should be referred to as the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking.
- Further information about activities: www.ihmiskauppa.fi
Further information for the media:
- Katri Lyijynen, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 295 433 037, firstname.lastname@migri.fi
- Terhi Tafari, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 295 433 037, firstname.lastname@migri.fi
- Jari Kähkönen, Director, tel. +358 295 433 037, firstname.lastname@migri.fi
