Help and support for victims of human trafficking and slavery

Find out about help and support available if you are, or you know someone who is a victim of human trafficking or slavery.

Signs you have been trafficked or enslaved

Signs that you might be a victim of trafficking or slavery include:

  • brought to Northern Ireland by force or pretence, or moved around Northern Ireland, and forced to work
  • forced to have sex
  • prevented from contacting your family and friends
  • your boss keeps your money
  • prevented from moving around when you want
  • passport or documents been taken from you
  • threats to harm you or your family
  • forcing you to donate an organ

If you have been trafficked contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) or Migrant Help.

Know your rights

You are entitled to have your human rights respected. You can download the 'Human trafficking - Know your rights' leaflet in the following languages:

  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Spanish
  • French 
  • Romanian 
  • Czech
  • Polish 
  • Urdu

Help is available

 If you are a trafficking or slavery victim, help and support is available through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a process that identifies victims of human trafficking or slavery in the UK and ensures they receive the right protection and support.

You will only be referred to the NRM if you give your consent. 

Contact the police if you want to be referred.

If you enter the NRM, they can help you with:

  • accommodation
  • living expenses
  • access to health and social care
  • legal and immigration advice

If you decide not to enter the National Referral Mechanism you may be able to get help from others organisations. If you are under 18 support will be provided by a Health and Social Care Trust.

Access to Health and Social care

Health care, social care, counselling and other medical services can be provided if you are assessed to be in need of them.  

If you have been trafficked for sexual purposes you can receive care and support from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre. All recovered victims will be offered screening.

Health and Social Care services may be available to you even if you have not entered the NRM, or if you have been confirmed by the NRM not to be a victim of human trafficking.

Compensation for victims of human trafficking

Other organisations that can help

Below is a list of some of the organisations in Northern Ireland that can give you help, support and advice if you have been trafficked or enslaved.

If you need help with accomodation or housing you can contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or the Simon Community on 0800 171 2222.


 

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