In order to ensure the basis for the creation of a qualitative service, the operators of this phone line regularly undergo practical training, within the framework of which four operators of this phone line and volunteers obtain and supplement their knowledge. In the course of this practical training, the particular situations that are encountered in everyday work, when resolving different social cases, are analysed and the actions of the operators in the communication between the consultant and the client are played. The trained operators provide consultations by phone and help the caller to assess whether there is a risk of human trafficking in a particular situation when going abroad to work, to study or for some other reason; inform about necessary precautionary measures, forms of human trafficking, available services and responsible institutions not only in Latvia, but also in other countries (Ireland, Cyprus, Great Britain, etc.) in which the greatest number of the victims of human trafficking from Latvia has been recorded.
Gita Miruškina, one of the telephone operators of the society’s “Shelter “Safe House””, tells about the main questions inhabitants ask when calling the Trust line.
“Since the Trust line is the fastest way to get the information from the specialists, inhabitants are willingly using this opportunity. In most of the cases people ask for advice how to behave in a situation, if they think that they have ended up in a situation resembling human trafficking. Even though the employment rights and all the issues related thereto are resolved by the State Labour Inspectorate, people still call the Trust line to get specialists’ consultations on this topic.
The inhabitants use the Trust line also to get general information about human trafficking – what human trafficking is, how to recognize it and where to apply for assistance. It is to be said that during the operation of the line we received calls from the persons who were looking for lost relatives, friends, etc. It is important for people to feel heard, listened to and understood, because it often gives them the strength to find a way out from the existing crisis,” G.Miruškina points out.
Over 12 months of the last year, society’s specialists assisted 33 victims of human trafficking – 32 women and one man. 19 persons suffered from a fictitious marriage, eight – from forced labour and six – from sexual exploitation. Most of the victims were from Vidzeme – 15, from Zemgale – seven, from Kurzeme – six, from Riga – four and one from Latgale. The consultations at the society were requested in total 162 times. Of them, most of the cases – 79 – were related to fictitious marriage, 17 – to forced labour, two – to sexual exploitation, while explanatory information was provided 64 times. In most of the cases inhabitants wanted to receive information electronically and by phone. 20 out of 162 consultations were provided in person. The society received the information about the cases of human trafficking from the embassies of Latvia 31 times; other person or organisation reported in 43 cases, while the person him- or herself applied for help in 88 cases.
From August to September 2013 the inhabitants used the Trust line 73 times.
„Shelter “Safe House”” Action Support Programme to Reduce Human Trafficking in Latvia” has been implemented since July 5, 2013 and it will continue until December 31, 2015, by using the grant (46 666 EUR) assigned by Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway via EEA financial mechanism and Society`s co-financing.
The project is financed by Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway.
The programme NGO Fund ir financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism and Latvian government.
Find out more about the EEA Financial Mechanism programme NGO Fund here
Website of the Society Integration Foundation: http://www.sif.lv
Website of the EEA Financial Mechanism in Latvia: http://www.eeagrants.lv
Official website of the EEA Financial Mechanism: http://www.eeagrants.org
Responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the society “Shelter “Safe House””.
For more information:
Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Public Relations Consultant and Practitioner
rasa.salina@gmail.com