The costs of assisting victims of trafficking in human beings: a pilot study of services provided in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of how the three Baltic countries cover the costs of specialized assistance to victims of trafficking. The report maps the costs of specialized assistance to victims of trafficking. Since most of the assisted victims in the Baltic countries are nationals rather than migrants, this report will have less focus on specific support and assistance given to victims of migrant background. In the three countries, victim assistance is provided by selected NGOs as appointed service providers. In the absence of similar baseline studies on the costs of assisting victims of trafficking, we have developed a pilot methodology and a simple data collection questionnaire for estimating the concrete and tangible costs occurred. The less visible, or indirect costs that accumulate over a longer period are discussed on a more theoretical level. This report includes, first, a description of the methodology, and secondly, presents the results of the piloting of the method and the questionnaire. The results include case examples form each country, outlining the variety of services used to rehabilitate victims of trafficking, and possible challenges related to victim assistance. The data collection has relied on the cooperation of local NGOs working with assisting victims of trafficking, as well as State and municipal actors involved in financing and coordinating such assistance to victims. The methodological tools and findings developed in this project are meant to be utilized by municipalities and partners in the STROM II project, as well as national coordination structures in the Baltic countries and the Baltic Sea Region. They, however, are also useful beyond the project as a tool to raise awareness on the impact of trafficking on both individuals and society. The methodology and data collection tools in this report can be adapted to replicate the study also in other countries and settings. The cost calculation method highlights the different ways NGOs help victims, and how the collaboration with the State, municipalities and other actors that are involved in prevention and assisting victims of trafficking could be improved. The report also shows the complex rehabilitation needs that victims of trafficking face, and in doing so, helps to increase the understanding of the specific cost-related challenges NGOs and other actors face when assisting victims of trafficking.