Identification
Who is responsible for identifying a victim of human trafficking?
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.
The first point of contact is often the police, the social services, the child protection services, or the immigration authorities. Cases are then referred to the THB unit of Bjarkarhlíð (the Family Justice Centre), which assesses the need for assistance.
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. Whenever a possible THB case is referred to Bjarkarhlíð, an operational team of three persons from NGOs Stígamót, Bjarkarhlíð and the Icelandic Human Rights Centre is convened to discuss the case. The team provides the victim immediate assistance. The team has a contact person within the police, who has experience in THB cases.
Bjarkarhlíð also collects comprehensive data on victims of THB seeking assistance. The data is disaggregated by the victim’s sex, age, nationality, and form of exploitation, the perpetrator’s nationality and the state authority or NGO that received the referral and reported the case to Bjarkarhlíð.
Presumed victims, both adults and children, are granted the necessary assistance and support without formal identification. They receive assistance and support in accordance with the Immigrant Affairs Act, No. 80/2016.
Special procedures for identification of a child victim of human trafficking
Under Article 16 of the Child Protection Act, anyone who has reasons to believe that a child is a potential victim of THB must inform the child protection services. The child protection services are responsible for providing accommodation and other services for children.
All presumed child victims of THB, as well as all unaccompanied and separated children, are interviewed at Barnahús in Reykjavík. A representative of the child protection services is present during the interviews. In 2022, around 25 unaccompanied or separated children were interviewed at Barnahús. Some of these children were interviewed because they had been accompanied by adults who did not have clear documents proving that they were the child’s family members. This practice helps to prevent child trafficking and detect possible victims among child asylum seekers. It also prevents secondary victimisation of the child.
In Reykjavik, child protection services manage emergency accommodation houses for children in danger. They can accommodate possible victims of THB before their placement in a foster family. There is one house for children up to 12 years and one for unaccompanied children older than 12. Both operate at capacity.
National hotlines for victims of human trafficking
Iceland does not have a national telephone hotline specifically for THB. 112 is the general emergency number that is used in all cases concerning an emergency, including those involving THB. It is owned and operated by the Icelandic State.
In 2021, the police trained all operators of 112 on indicators of THB and referral of victims and developed a procedure for identifying possible victims of THB and referring them to assistance. Any public authority who comes across a possible case of THB is expected to call 112 to receive information about the procedure they should follow.
The 112 helpline’s website contains an information portal for THB victims. It has information in English, Icelandic, and Polish on indicators for various forms of THB. In addition, the website offers information on places where victims can seek advice and assistance.
112 refers cases to Bjarkarhlíð or the police. If the call involves children, the child protection services are contacted.
An alternative helpline that victims can contact is the 1717 helpline, which is run by the Icelandic Red Cross. Its staff has received training in THB.