Project Description
In order to address all aspects of human trafficking in a comprehensive and interdisciplinary manner, Austria has set up a Task Force on Combating Human Trafficking which not only comprises representatives of all competent ministries and the federal provinces but also representatives of non-governmental organizations and academia. This national coordination mechanism provides the framework for very close cooperation of all stakeholders. One of its main tasks is the elaboration and monitoring of implementation of the National Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking (currently for the period 2015-2017). The active involvement of NGOs provides for an inherent “reality check” whether victim-centered measures work in practice.
Key results
The close cooperation between government authorities, police, the judiciary and NGOs, in particular victim support organizations, in all steps of an investigation has proven successful in a number of major trafficking cases.
Key lessons learnt
The empowerment of victims is key to their (self-) identification, their cooperation in the prosecution of perpetrators and the prevention of revictimization. Austria has strengthened measures that aim at providing potential victims with official and reliable information about their rights, including about compensation. For example, the recently launched drop-in center for undocumented workers, UNDOK, run by an association of Trade Unions, the Chamber of Labor (AK), and NGOs, financially supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, offers free counselling and assistance to persons working in Austria without a residence and/or a work permit regarding issues of labor law, right of residence and social security. UNDOK cooperates actively with victim support organizations and has already referred several persons.
