Identification and assistance to presumed and potential victims of trafficking

Nikola DzinaPsychoterapist

nikoladzina@gmail.comRCW Marta, www.marta.lv

What does the victim need the most?

• Freedom or safety?• Suspiciousness or trust?• Confidentiality or public recognition as a

victim?• Freedom of choice and right to say NO at

any time or obligation to collaborate?

System

If the system we live in clearly states who is the violator, working with trauma is more effective.If the state, society, court recognizes you as a victim of human trafficking, it clearly defines who is responsible and lessens victim’s sense of guilt.It is necessary to collaborate with the state and the system! This takes strength and resilience and there is risk of recurrent traumatization.

When can we help?• When working with a person, it is not important

to us what the public officials define as human trafficking or voluntary prostitution

• We can provide help as long the victim needs it• We can choose how to help and truly respect the

needs of the victim• BUT! Our resources are limited… and directed to

the victim• RISK! We cannot fight the organized crime as a

system

Lora’s story BEFORE

Woman, 33, single, raises a daughterLora’s background:•grew up with 3 siblings, parents were working•as a child was sexually abused by a family friend – nobody knew that•enrolled in university, her dorm roommate told her about the opportunity to “make money” abroad

Lora’s story WHAT HAPPENED

• On her way home she met a nice man, who offered to live with him – for that she had to sleep with him and his friend

• The man found her “a job” in Germany• In Germany she was sold from one brothel to

another, then third• She ran back to Latvia, a security guard from

the last brothel helped her

Lora’s story AFTER

• A SECRET• She graduated• She worked in her field, abused drugs and

alcohol – then stopped• Met a man, her daughter was born, they split• She returned to her parents

Lora’s story WHY SHE LOOKED FOR HELP

• No contact with parents and brothers• Unemployed• No communication with friends• Raising her daughter• One day the friend of the family came to

visit…

FINDING HELP

• She searched for free psychological consultation on the Internet

• Stated problem – childhood sexual abuse • Was especially worried about confidentiality

WOMAN’S STATE 10 YEARS AFTER

• Nightmares• Fear of leaving home • Fear to be in public• Fear for her and her family’s safety• Anxiety• Fear for her daughter• GUILT – HOW COULD I AGREE TO SOMETHING

LIKE THAT?

HELP1,5 years

social:– Support regarding her employment

psychological:– Diminishing the fear, anxiety– Work with feelings of guilt– Work with client’s needs

Lora’s story AFTER• Told her mother about the experience of

childhood sexual abuse• Found a job• Renewed relationships with friends• Stopped blaming herself• Recognizes her right to have her feelings and

thoughts and that they deserve attention• Allows herself to make mistakes and realizes that

one doesn’t have to be perfect to be loved• Started to accept the real situation, instead of

dreaming of how things could have been

Lora’s story WHAT WORKED

• Client’s resources: personality, intellect, motivation to help herself, ability to self-reflect, desire to make a better life for her daughter

• Opportunity to provide help as long and to the degree it was necessary

• Confidentiality• The client was given the freedom of choice• Specialist’s beliefs

Lora’s story WHAT WILL NEVER BE RESOLVED

• She will never be recognized as a victim of human trafficking

• She won’t be able to realize her right to special procedural protection, compensation etc.

• The offenders will remain unpunished• As nobody will face charges for any of the

crimes, there is a risk that at more difficult moments in life, the symptoms of the trauma may intensify

WHAT ABOUT OTHERS?

• Lora’s story is a story of success• For others it may be different• How people find us: internet, other NPOs,

referred by other specialists, collaboration with outreach specialists

• What can we do: provide long term social and psychological help

• What can’t we do: help to prosecute the offenders and fully provide safety

• Natasha lives with the client, attends support groups, sees prostitution as a source of income– We encourage her to build her life independently.

Will it work?• Ilze saw two choices: suicide or running away.

She fled to us.– We were able to hide her for 4 months, then she

decided to leave. Did she commit suicide?

I AM VULNERABLE‘It seems I knew already from childhood. Everywhere I looked around I saw sex. I realized from childhood that you can get things by using sex, if you let yourself experience the pain you can get whatever.’

“With the financial support from the Prevention of and Fight against Crime ProgrammeEuropean Commission - Directorate-General Home Affairs”

Pictureby KristiansBrekte