Every human trafficking victim has a right to receive State funded social rehabilitation services according to the victim`s needs.
State funded social rehabilitation services include a set of social services:
- a course of social rehabilitation (individual consultations from a social worker, psychologist, medical personnel, individual consultations on legal matters) for up to 180 days
- five consultations for the family members of child victims of human trafficking,
- professional psycho-social support (individual consultations from a social worker and psychologist; individual consultations on legal matters) and other services such as translation, preparation of legal documents and legal representation in court if a victim participates in a criminal case as either a victim or a witness
- five individual consultations from a social service provider after a course of social rehabilitation is completed for those victims who don't receive professional psycho-social support in terms of participating in a criminal case as either a victim or witness
- organizing the return (including accompaniment) of a victim or a person who might potentially be recognized as a victim and his/her children or a potential victim
Who can receive social rehabilitation services?
State funded social rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking are available to all persons who are recognized as victims of human trafficking:
- by the police (if criminal proceedings have been initiated)
- by a State funded social rehabilitation programme provider
There is no need for criminal proceedings to be initiated and for the victim to have obtained official victim status in those proceedings for a victim of trafficking to receive State funded social rehabilitation services.
Unlike in criminal proceedings, there is no statutory time limitation for a victim to receive social rehabilitation services. Therefore, a victim of human trafficking can apply and is entitled to State funded social rehabilitation services, even if the trafficking took place decades prior to the application for services.
The procedure on how to apply for status as a victim of human trafficking and to receive State funded social rehabilitation services are explained in special regulations.