Information provision messages

Receiving information on trafficking in human beings helps raise awareness about the risks and indicators, and makes applicants aware of the protective measures they can benefit from. Additionally, access to information contributes to the applicant’s potential self-identification as a victim of human trafficking (for instance for situations they underwent in the past or they are currently faced with) while empowering them with the knowledge to better understand their situation as well as with the resources to access adequate protection services. 

By educating applicants about the tactics used by traffickers, the rights of victims, and the resources available for support and protection, professionals can empower them to recognise and avoid potential exploitation. 

It is essential that these messages are clear, accessible, and tailored to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of applicants to ensure their safety and well-being during their stay in reception. 

Inform applicants on the below.

• What trafficking in human beings is: explain some potential signs and indicators of trafficking in human beings, for example being afraid of somebody, feeling forced to do unwanted things such as begging, prostitution, forced labour or forced domestic work. Refer to restricted movement, physical abuse, inability to communicate freely, deprivation of documents, debt bondage and being controlled by others.  
• Common trafficking schemes, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and organ trafficking. Use general real-life examples they can relate to. 
• Alert them to the fact that smugglers might try to persuade them to move to another country and that this affects their chances of getting international protection whereas the smuggler benefits from additional payments.
• Address the heightened risks of trafficking in human beings during the displacement and journey that applicants took. 
• By using simple language, convey to applicants that trafficking in human beings involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. 
• Provide clear information on the existing reporting mechanism, the importance of using it and the existing guarantees (e.g. consent, confidentiality, data protection). 
• Clearly inform applicants of their rights and protections under national and international law, including the right to specialised services, in and outside reception (through referral), such as shelters, psychosocial assistance, healthcare, peer support groups, legal aid, and protection from retaliation. 
• Highlight the available support services, such as shelters, interpretation, transportation, physically accompanying and assisting during appointments etc.

Practical tips

• Provide very clear and to the point information, by using simple language. Involve other stakeholders in providing specialised information to applicants, such as NGOs, local police, anti-trafficking governmental agencies etc., and make these sessions as interactive as possible (e.g. real-life examples, time for Q&A.). 
• When organising group sessions, ensure the composition allows applicants to feel safe to ask questions. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, only organise same gender groups: women may be reluctant to speak in the presence of men. Additionally, groups should be homogeneous, meaning participants should speak the same language to avoid the need for multiple interpreters. Complement the group sessions, by individual information sessions, where needed. 
• Use visual aids such as posters, infographics or videos to supplement oral information provision. Visuals materials can help convey complex information in a more engaging and understandable way, especially for individuals with limited literacy skills or difficulties of understanding. See also the other sections on special needs for more information on communication channels and methods to convey information to applicants with special needs. 
• When using animations, use real-life scenarios that applicants could easily understand and relate to. Also ensure the presence of cultural mediators to support you in conveying the information to applicants in a culturally sensitive manner.  
• Create prevention information materials dedicated to children, and especially unaccompanied children, as they are particularly vulnerable to trafficking in human beings. 
• Ensure repetition of content and access to simple and consistent information from authorised sources through different communication channels to counter misinformation or disinformation on trafficking in human beings related crimes in reception. Countering misinformation can be a challenge, but frequent repetition and reliable sources are effective strategies to address it.
• Special attention should be paid to the gender of the person providing information as well as to the gender of the interpreter, especially when organising separate information sessions for women and men. 
• To the extent possible, ensure the privacy and security of the information provided to applicants who might be potential victims of trafficking in human beings.