Referral Systems for Assisting Victims of International Human Trafficking Monika Peruffo, Internatio

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Referral Systems for Assisting Victims of
International Human TraffickingMonika Peruffo,
International Organization for Migration(IOM)
REGIONAL EXPERT MEETING ON RIGHTS BASED
ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING Cairo, 14-16
December 2008The National Council for Women
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DEFINITION OF REFERRAL SYSTEM

• A Referral mechanism is a co-operative
  framework through which state actors fulfill
  their obligations to protect and promote the
  human rights of trafficked persons, coordinating
  their efforts in a strategic partnership with
  civil society.
• The basic aims of Referral Mechanisms are to
  ensure that the human rights of trafficked
  persons are respected and to provide an effective
  way to refer victims of trafficking to services.

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Why a referral system for assisting victims of
human trafficking?

• Human trafficking is a complex problem that
  generated large number of victim needs (medical
  help, psychological support, legal assistance,
  shelter and everyday care, help with her/his
  migration status and in getting travel documents,
  protection from the trafficker)
• impossibility of covering all areas by only one
  agency,
• obligation to set up channels of coordination,
  collaboration and of effective and proper
  communication amongst a group of organizations
  providing services to trafficking victims.

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National Referral system

General features of national referral
systems- Usually based on a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) amongst the participants of
the referral system or on a national law, -
Coordinated by a national Government authority,
- Involve the Government authorities,
international agencies and national NGOs, cover
all or most of the most immediate victims needs
(such as screening, medical help, legal status,
shelter and daily care, psychological
attention).
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International Referral System
International Referral Flowchart
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Basic Principles for Referral Actions

• Respect for and protection of human rights
• Informed consent of the victim
• Non-discrimination
• Con?dentiality and right to privacy
• Self-determination and participation
• Individualized treatment and care
• Best interests of the child

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Good practices in Referral of victims

• Referral Systems are not rigid structures but
  flexible mechanisms that are tailor-made to fit
  each countrys patterns of trafficking cases
• The design of referral system should aim to
  formalize co-operation among government agencies
  and non-governmental groups dealing with
  trafficked persons
• The cooperation agreements establishing referral
  systems for trafficking are likely to be most
  effective if they are founded on a formal
  co-operation agreement among the participants
  for example, a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
  that sets out the specific role and duties of
  each participant
• The designation of a national authority as
  national coordinator of the referral system
  ensures usually its profile and sustainability.
• Permanent or temporary residents permits for
  victims of trafficking in the countries where
  they are exploited (countries of destination).
• The establishment and/or strengthening of
  official channels and mechanisms of international
  cooperation amongst Governments and existing
  national referral

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Thank you very much for your attentionInternati
onal web site www.iom.intEmail
mperuffo_at_iom.int