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Human trafficking

Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, hosting or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.

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Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights

Human trafficking takes advantage of another person’s hopes and dreams, by forcing them to live their life differently than they choose. It is a common misunderstanding to think that human trafficking is just prostitution and only women can become victims. People of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. Some groups are more exposed than others, for example migrants or other people in search of a better life, people who live in poverty or are addicted to drugs, homeless young people and children.

It can be human trafficking if someone:

  • Does not pay you salary for your work.
  • Threatens you or your family violence if you do not do something.
  • Forces you to live in unhealthy circumstances.
  • Keeps you confined somewhere against your will.
  • Takes away your passport or other important documents.
  • Forges your passport or provides you with a fake passport
  • Pays for your travel to Iceland and makes you pay the debt by working.
  • Forbids you to talk about your circumstances with your friends, family, or authorities.
  • Forbids you to seek medical help or demands to accompany you to the doctor.

What can I do?

You can prevent the exploitation of another person if you notice certain clues in your immediate environment. Contacting 112 is the first step toward fighting human trafficking.

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A woman offering support to another woman.

Know the methods of exploiters

The methods of exploiters are well known. If you recognize the symptoms and methods of human trafficking, you increase the possibility of dissolving it.

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Examples of human trafficking

A woman in distress.

Domestic servitude

When someone forces a person to do things that are not part of their job, it is called domestic servitude. That is one of the human trafficking manifestations.

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A woman in distress.

Forced marriage

If a person is forced to marry to benefit from it themselves or the other one, for example, to gain a residential permit or citizenship, it is human trafficking and is called forced marriage.

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A woman.

Sexual exploitation

Sexual exploitation is when a person benefits from selling access to another person's body for sexual purposes.

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A man sits exhausted on the floor. A thought bubble shows an empty battery.

Labor exploitation

Labor exploitation is when a person is exploited without getting the rights and wages she has the rights to according to law. The perpetrator uses deceit and threats to maintain the situation.

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A woman looking at bowls of food.

Forced crime

When someone forces you to commit a crime to benefit from it themselves, it is human trafficking.

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A man with his hand out.

Forced begging

It is human trafficking when someone forces another person to beg for money in public for their own benefit.

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A person thinking.

More trafficking methods

Trafficking can also be child soldiers and organ trafficking.

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If you think you are a victim of trafficking, you can start a conversation with 112 and get help right away.

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Who are the traffickers?

Anyone can be a perpetrator: someone who acts like your friend, a supervisor, a family member, or even your partner. They seduce the victim by showing attention, care, love, safety, or a promise of a job - all to gain trust. You might not thank that you are being abused and that you are a human trafficking victim.

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Available support

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An interview room at Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarkarhlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

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Police

The police in Iceland help people who have suffered abuse of any kind. Police see abuse in close relationships as a very serious matter.

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A multicoloured face.

Multicultural Information Centre

At the Multicultural Department of the Directorate of Labour, immigrants in Iceland can obtain information about their rights and various essential services.

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An interview room at Bjarmahlíð.

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri

Bjarmahlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

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Sigurhæðir in Selfoss

Sigurhæðir is a service for victims of gender-based violence in South Iceland. There you receive counsel, support and therapy on your terms, free of charge..

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WOMEN

W.O.M.E.N (Women Of Multicultural Ethnicity Network in Iceland) is a social organization for women of foreign origin living in Iceland.

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Myndin sýnir bjarta setustofu þar sem er blár sófi hægra megin upp við vegg. Sófinn er með tveimur gulum púðum fyrir framan lágt viðar sófaborð. Hinu megin við borðið eru tveir hvítir stólar, yfir annan þeirra hefur verið lagt samanbrotið teppi. Fyrir aftan stólana má sjá bókahillu með ýmsum munum í. Á veggnum gagnstætt hurðinni er hægra megin gluggi með bláum gluggatjöldum. Vinstra megin eru hvítir upphengdir eldhússkápar.

Suðurhlíð

Suðurhlíð is a center for victims of violence. The aim is to provide support, advice and education about the nature and consequences of violence.

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Types of violence