Semi-annual review 2022 of the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking
This semi-annual review from the National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (NAS) covers the time period from 1st January 2022 to 30th June 2022. This period saw the beginning of the war in Ukraine as well as the relaxing of restrictions related to the corona virus pandemic.
Finnish authorities are working together in order to detect any possible signs indicating that persons fleeing from Ukraine are being exploited in Finland, and to prevent and combat such exploitation. So far, there have been no signs indicating that this group of people has been exploited in human trafficking in Finland.
While the statistics are available, some parts of the review will be translated into English at a later date.
Contents of the 2022 Semi-annual review:
The National Assistance System sets its goals high (Published later) – The team of professionals working at the National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (NAS) mapped out its goals but identified some challenges, as well.
This is where human trafficking is identified – The NAS collects information on which organizations refer presumed victims of human trafficking to its services. In the first half of 2022, NGOs have the strongest record in referring persons to the NAS, who have been exploited in Finland.
New clients in the NAS 1.1.2022 – 30.6.2022 – 165 persons were admitted as clients in the NAS during the first six months of 2022. Check out more statistics here.
New clients who had fallen victim in Finland – 66 persons were admitted as clients in the NAS, who may have been exploited in human trafficking in Finland. Check out more statistics on exploitation in Finland here.
All clients in the NAS on 30th June 2022 – The total number of clients in the NAS at the end of June 2022 was 1184. Check out more statistics on the total amount of clients here.
Applications accepted for project IKUT’s career coaching course!(Published later) – The career coaching course for victims of human trafficking and other exploitation is organized for the last time this Autumn in Helsinki. The final course is aimed at women, and legal residence in Finland is not required for participants. Applicationst to the course are accepted until August 19th 2022 (link to application form opens in a new window). In the related article (published later), participants to earlier courses reveal they thought Finnish laws and rules for working life do not include them.
MEDIA RELEASE – Read the media release for the publication of the semi-annual statistics here.
What do the statistics of the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking tell us? – information about what the statistics collated by the NAS can and cannot tell us.
The first six months of 2022 in brief
More presumed victims of human trafficking were referred to the NAS in the first half of 2022 than ever before. Out of the 185 persons referred to the NAS, 139 were admitted as clients along with 26 underaged children in their care. In 2021 the corresponding number for referrals was 147.
Increase in the number of referrals from previous years might partly have to do with the relaxing of restrictions put to place due to the corona virus pandemic. It has again been possible to meet people face-to-face, and borders have been opened for freer crossing. At the same time, many businesses have gradually started operating after a long slow period.
Nearly a half of all new clients may have been exploited in human trafficking in Finland. Trafficking for forced labour was, once again, the most identified form of trafficking occurring in Finland. Those exploited outside Finland had most often been victims of a forced marriage or forced labour.
The situation in Ukraine is not yet visible in the NAS stats
So far, there have been no referrals to the NAS concerning people who have fled from Ukraine. The NAS has not been informed of any such persons having been exploited in Finland or on their way to Finland. This may be the result of the combined efforts by several governmental and non-governmental organizations to prevent exploitation of those fleeing from Ukraine. However, it is also likely that any possible exploitation comes to light only after some time has passed.
Ukrainian citizens and those supporting them have contacted the NAS regarding work related problems experienced by Ukrainians in Finland. These calls for help and advice have started coming in around June 2022 and increased slightly during July 2022. These contacts have, however, not related to human trafficking. The NAS has offered callers advice and information, and guided them to other available services.
Our last experience of refugees arriving in the country at a large scale was in 2015, when 32 000 asylum seekers entered the country. From this group, the first references to the NAS came during the latter half of 2016. These referrals concerned persons, who had been exploited on their way to Finland, but outside Finland. The exploitation mainly came to light during extensive asylum interviews conducted by the Finnish Immigration Service. The first signs of this group of persons having been exploited in Finland started arriving much later.
There are, however, some significant differences between these two groups. From the 2015 group, those who were exploited in Finland have mostly been persons who have received one or more negative decisions to their asylum claim. Persons fleeing from Ukraine seek temporary protection, and most are likely to be given that status. Then again, persons fleeing from Ukraine are not given a thorough interview such as the one given to everyone in the 2015 group. This will be one significant avenue less for past and present exploitation to be revealed.
Do you have questions about the statistics or the activities of the NAS?
If you would like more information about the statistics or the NAS, please contact the NAS by phone, e-mail or through this website. For questions related to the IKUT project, please contact Project Manager Saija Korkeakangas directly (firstname.lastname(a)migri.fi).