Iceland
In Iceland, Bjarkarhlíð serves as a National Referral Mechanism based on a service agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is responsible for coordinating support services for victims of human trafficking. The initial services aim to meet the basic needs of the presumed victim.
Iceland does not have a national telephone hotline specifically for human trafficking. The general emergency number is used in all cases concerning an emergency, including those involving human trafficking: 112.
Identification
The Icelandic law does not specifically define who is responsible for identifying a presumed victim of human trafficking. Many parties are involved in the identification process. Bjarkarhlíð serves as a National Referral Mechanism based on a service agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is responsible for coordinating support services for victims of human trafficking. All presumed child victims of THB, as well as all unaccompanied and separated children, are interviewed at Barnahús in Reykjavík.
Early and immediate assistance
Bjarkarhlíð serves as a National Referral Mechanism based on a service agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The initial services aim to meet the basic needs of the presumed victim. The victims are entitled to support for instance in emergency health care, finding housing, securing a livelihood and returning home. Child protection services handle cases regarding children.
Temporary residence permits
The reflection period in Iceland is connected to a temporary residence permit. In addition, a victim of human trafficking, and their child present in Iceland, may be granted a renewable residence permit for reasons of the individual’s personal circumstances, or for the purpose of cooperation with the authorities in the investigation and criminal proceedings, as requested by the police.
Pre-trial investigation and criminal proceedings
In addition to the services available for victims of human trafficking through the coordinated assistance of Bjarkarhlíð, victims of human trafficking can receive additional services during the criminal proceedings, such as free legal aid and interpretation services. Victims of human trafficking can seek pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages from perpetrators in criminal or civil proceedings. Victim can receive state compensation even if the accused was acquitted.
Long-term assistance and residence permits
Victims of human trafficking an option to regularise their residence for long-term purposes by applying asylum in Iceland. Human trafficking constitutes grounds to grant an asylum. No long-term programmes exist for victims of human trafficking.
Voluntary return and reintegration
There is no specific programme for voluntary return for victims of human trafficking in Iceland. If a victim wants to return voluntarily, social services assist the victim.
