The Handbook tackles the legal framework of protecting and supporting victims of trafficking, the process of secondary victimisation by the criminal justice system, the role of psychologists and social workers in the criminal process and the multidisciplinary work in processing trafficking cases.
The Handbook comprises four substantive parts, each addressing different aspects of the assistance required by victims of trafficking. These include: 1) EU and national legislative framework; 2) avoiding secondary victimisation during judicial proceedings; 3) the role of psychologists and social workers during judicial proceedings; and 4) the need for a multi-disciplinary team for providing adequate victim support.
Model of Standard Operating Procedures
The Handbook outlines a Model of Standard Operating Procedures to be performed by a multi-disciplinary team. The Model is summarised below:
Detection and Identification
Measure 1: Initial referral
Measure 2: Access to basic needs and information
Measure 3: Early risk assessment
Measure 4: Language interpretation and cultural mediation
Measure 5: Recovery and reflection period
First Assistance and Protection
Measure 1: Information on assistance options, legal options and conditions
Measure 2: Intake, needs assessment for assistance provision and protection
Longer-Term Assistance and Social Inclusion: Comprehensive Care
Measure 1: Joint development of the individual assistance plan
Measure 2: Consent procedures to implement the individual assistance plan
Measure 3: Adjustment and social inclusion
Measure 4: Legal support and assistance
Return in the Origin Country
Measure 1: Informed decision to return and risk management plan
Measure 2: Implementation of the risk management plan
Judicial Proceedings and Compensation
Measure 1: Evidence gathering
Measure 2: Preparing the victim-witness before the trial
Measure 3: Victim-witness support during the trial
Measure 4: Victim-witness support after the trial
Measure 5: Support for compensation claims
Periodic and Final Monitoring and Evaluation
The Handbook has been developed with financial support Justice Programme of the European Union.
Author: Silvia Antoaneta Berbec, Elena Lazar, Gabriela Ionescu, Anda Teodora Dragan, Ana Maria Zamfir, Iulia Nimescu, Ilse Van der Straeten, Christine Vaillant, Klaus Vanhoutte, Miriana Ilcheva, Dimitar Markov, Nerea García, Clara Fova, María Díez, Natalia de la Rubia, Carmen Romero, Ana Sánchez, Ruth Nordström, Patricia Feito, Björn Ogéus (contributor), Karin Nilsson (contributor), Elisabeth Samuelsson (contributor), Ninna Mörner (contributor), Josephine Appelqvist (contributor), Diana Videva (contributor).
Links
http://www.csd.bg/artShow.php?id=18108
Keywords
Human trafficking, Handbook, victims, support, multi-disciplinary team