Identification

Who is responsible for identifying a victim of human trafficking?

In Lithuania, the vicitms of human traffikcing can be identified by several institutions. These insitutions include for instance:

  • Non-governemental organisations 
  • State border guard units
  • Diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Lithuania in other countries
  • State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor
  • State Labour Inspectorate
  • Lithuanian police
  • Prosecutor’s General Office

The path to identifying vicitms of human trafficking has been set in „Recommendations regarding the Identification of Victims of Trafficking, Criminal Investigations and Interagency Co-operation“, which have been approved by the Lithuanian Prosecutor General, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Social Security and Labour.

Based on the “Recommendations on Victim Identification“, the instiution identifying a presumed needs to fill an identification card of a vicitm of human trafficking. The card should be filled out by the officer or employee who has the first interview with the victim. The completed card is then submitted to the prosecutor’s office or the police.

During the identification process, the presumed victim must be informed about the possibility of receiving assistance from a NGO that provides assistance to victims of human trafficking. No formal identification process is needed for the vicitm to receive assistance. 

Unconditional assistance is provided only to Lithuanian nationals and foreigners who have a right of residence in the country. The assistance is provided irrespective of whether or not the victims co-operate with the law enforcement authorities.

Special procedures for identification of a child victim of human trafficking

If the presumed victim of human trafficking is a child, the agency that has identified the child must inform the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor (SCRPAS). The territorial department of the SCRPAS depends on the actual place of residence of the child. The SCRPAS should be informed immediately, and no later than 24 hours.

National hotlines for victims of human trafficking

National association against trafficking in human beings is a non-governmental organization that coordinates and provides comprehensive social assistance to victims of human trafficking in Lithuania. The association consists of the six non-governmental organizations and two associate partners that cover the whole Lithuania geographically. The aims of the association are:

  1. Guarantee equal access and quality of comprehensive social assistance to victims of human trafficking and presumed victims
  2. Coordinate efforts to solve the problems of human trafficking, modern slavery and the elimination of forms of discrimination against women, including gender-related violence, as provided for in international, European Union and national legal acts
  3. Raise the awareness of members of the society to achieve zero tolerance for human trafficking and modern slavery.

Contact details:

Members of the national association against trafficking in human beings also have their own contact numbers which can be used to consult on human trafficking:

  • Centres against Human Trafficking and Exploitation. The centers are located in Kaunas, Vilnius, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys, Marijampolė, Tauragė. Assistance is provided to female, male victims and children. Email: [email protected] or a 24/7 information hotline (+370) 679 61617
  • Missing Persons Families Support Centre in Vilnius provides assistance to female and male victims and children. Email: [email protected] or phone (+370) 652 98187 (24/7).
  • Association Men’ Crisis Centre in Kaunas provides assistance to men and boys. Email: [email protected] or a 24/7 information hotline (+370) 662 26770.
  • Klaipėda Social and Psychological Support Centre provides assistance and support to women and girls. Email: [email protected] or phone (+370) 607 81688 (Mon-Fri: 9.00-18.00). Free of charge 24/7 hotline for women (+370) 800 66366.
  • Alytus City Women’s Crisis Center provides assistance for assistance and support to women and girls. Information hotline (+370) 800 31119.

In addition, “Children’s Rights Line“ under State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service provides free consultations children, teenagers, parents and specialists on matters related to the rights of the child by phone, email and on-line chat.

Contact details: