Identification

Who is responsible for identifying a victim of human trafficking?

The Danish National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings sets the overall frame for identifying and assessing trafficking in human beings.  The victim identification process distinguishes between 

  1. Initial identification and 
  2. Final assessment 
Initial identification

The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking (CMM) performs the initial identification, also known as the trafficking interview. The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking is a governmental body and the focal point for cases involving both adult and child victims of THB. The Centre functions as the equivalent of a referral mechanism.

Victims can be referred to the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking for instance by law enforcement authorities, non-governmental organisations or the Danish Immigration Service (DIS). The Danish Immigration Service, for instance, has the opportunity to contact the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking if there are indications that an asylum seeker or a person without legal stay could be a victim of human trafficking. If the person is without legal stay in Denmark, the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking will always be contacted in cases regarding prostitution.

The initial identification consists of one or more interviews with the presumed victim. The purpose of the interviews is to detect indicators of human trafficking and create a basis for the authorities’ final assessment. The interviews are conducted using an interpreter if the potential victim cannot communicate sufficiently in Danish or English.

The initial identification does not give access to support under the Danish National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. However, if needed, the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking can offer support and accommodation during the initial identification. 

Final assessment

Depending on the presumed victim’s residence status, different authorities make the final assessment to formally identify the victim. These authorities are:

  • The Danish Immigration Service (if a person is staying irregularly or is an asylum seeker in Denmark)
  • The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking (if a person is staying regularly in Denmark)
  • The Court and the Prosecution Service (if the person is being tried for criminal offence)

The initial identification interviews, conducted by the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking, form the basis for the final assessment. In rare cases the Danish Immigration Service can make the decision without an assessment from the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking, if a presumed victim, who is an asylum seeker or does not have a legal stay in Denmark, does not want to talk to the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking. In such cases, the decision will be based on the information the presumed victim has provided to the Danish Immigration Service or the police.

Any person who is granted the formal status as a victim of human trafficking by Danish authorities has access to assistance outlined in the Danish National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. Support and assistance are given to all identified victims and is not dependent on collaboration with either the police or the prosecution service. 

Different offers and assistance under the National Action Plan can also be provided to potential victims during the final assessment.

Special procedures for identification of a child victim of human trafficking

The identification of a child victim of human trafficking is similar to the identification process for presumed adult victims. 

According to Danish national guidance on the police’s handling of cases regarding human trafficking, if the police suspect human trafficking involving children, they should contact the following authorities: 

  • The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking
  • The Social Authorities      
  • Red Cross
  • Hotline regarding unaccompanied minors

All unaccompanied minors in Denmark are appointed a personal representative when entering Denmark. The personal representative has wide-ranging responsibilities, from representing children in legal or other administrative proceedings, including being present during asylum interviews, to ensuring that all decisions concerning children are taken in their best interest. In addition, the personal representative will act as a bridge between the child and other actors in the child protection system. 

The Danish Centre Against Human Trafficking, the Danish Red Cross, the Danish Immigration Service and municipalities offer a range of help and support for child victims of human trafficking. In most cases, the actors cooperate closely to ensure a holistic child sensitive approach in order to secure the best interest of the child. 

National hotlines for victims of human trafficking

The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking operates a national hotline for reporting possible cases of THB. It targets authorities such as police, tax authorities, immigration authorities, working environment authorities and front-line personnel, as well as victims of trafficking and private persons. 

Children and their representatives can also use the hotline. In practice, the hotline is mainly used by actors who are in contact with potential victims of human trafficking, rather than by victims themselves. 

The hotline is open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm. Outside the opening hours, it is possible to leave a voice mail or send a secure email. 

The phone number is +45 7020 2550.

The secure email address is [email protected].