Warning about risks of human trafficking

Human trafficking happens when a person is tricked, trapped or coerced into being exploited for another person’s private gain or profit.

It is a crime and can take various forms, such as:

  • sexual exploitation
  • forced labour
  • domestic servitude
  • slavery or similar practices
  • gender-based violence
  • forced begging or criminality

Many people will want to help you on your journey and after you arrive in Luxembourg. However, not everyone may be who they say they are; some people may have different intentions and may wish to take advantage of your situation. 

  • For example, they may promise you accommodation, transport, or free food, and use this as a way to pressure you into sexual acts, work or other services you do not agree with. Or they may want to harm you or take your documents or other belongings. If you believe you are a victim of trafficking, or you have a suspicion that someone else is, you should contact the Luxembourg police force, who are available to help.  

In case of emergency or if you are under an imminent threat, please call 113 (line open 24/7)

On working days between 8 am and 4 pm, you can also contact the police:

Every contact with the police will be treated in strict confidence. 

➡️Additional information can be found on the website of the Stop Traite organization

Tips for keeping safe:

Always:

  • Be alert and follow your own intuition about people you don’t know. 
  • Always hold onto your documents. Take copies of them on your phone and send them to someone you trust. 
  • Keep in touch with your family and other people you trust. 
  • Know your rights and where you can access help. 
  • Seek reliable information from trusted sources. 

If you are looking for transportation: 

  • Use organized transportation by known providers, as far as this is possible. 
  • Don’t accept being removed from your family or those you arrived with, and don’t give away your documents.
  • Always agree on a price beforehand.

If you are looking for a place to stay: 

  • Use accommodation provided or facilitated by known organizations, if possible.
  • Look for a reception center, hotel, hostel and non-governmental organizations that offer accommodation.
  • If using an online service provider, make sure to select hosts that have a positive rating and look at the reviews on the page. 
  • If you stay with private individuals, try to ask around about the person first. You can ask the person to show you their identity document. Don’t accept being removed from your family or those you arrived with, and don’t give away your documents. Ask if anything is expected of you in return, and always agree on a price beforehand.  Tell someone you trust where you will be staying and whom you will be staying with. 

Be alert if someone: 

  • is asking for your passport or other identification documents (apart from public authorities, for example, at immigration checkpoints); 
  • is asking for your phone, laptop or other means of communication; 
  • wants to remove you from your family or others you are travelling with; 
  • is offering you a job that sounds too good to be true;   
  • is pressuring you to perform work, services or sex (including to repay ‘debts’); 
  • is offering you assistance – such as food – only if you do ‘services’; 
  • is promising to help you get registered, relocated or resettled to another country for payment (except for regular transportation fees); 
  • is hiring you but not paying you, or paying only part of what was promised; 
  • is hiring you but not giving you decent working conditions or limiting your movement, for example, by taking your documents or locking the door. 

The below organisations may be able to help you. Select each to find out what support they offer:

Fondation Maison de la Porte Ouverte (FMPO), Maison COTEH

This organization offers day and night reception for victims (children and women) of human trafficking, psychosocial support for victims (children, men and women) and a housing facility for 5 victims of human trafficking (Maison COTEH).

  • The address remains anonymous for security reasons
  • Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 9.00 – 17.00. Outside opening hours, please contact the police as described above
  • Email address: [email protected] or [email protected]
  • Telephone: 00352 27 36 56 46 or 00352 621 351 884
  • Visit their website
  • Free service

SAVTEH/InfoTraite (Femmes en détresse asbl)

This organization offers support and guidance to victims of trafficking in human beings to achieve their physical, psychological and social recovery while respecting their intentions.

Médecins du Monde

The organization undertakes actions in favor of the most disadvantaged, who do not have access to the national health system, offering them access to primary health care, through free medical and psychosocial consultations.

  • Address: 30, Dernier Sol, Bonnevoie (Luxembourg-Ville) or 3, Quartier, Esch-sur-Alzette
  • Opening hours:

The center in Bonnevoie operates on Mondays and Fridays 10.00 – 12.00, on Tuesdays 15.00 – 17.00 (only for women and children) and on Wednesdays 18.00 – 20.00.

The center in Esch-sur-Alzette operates on Thursdays 10.00 – 12.00.

Appointments are not necessary.

HUT – Hëllef um Terrain Luxembourg

This organization runs two shelters for victims of human trafficking and works closely with the state and police services for support to victims of human trafficking.

  • Address: 41, rue du Puits Romain, L- 8070 Luxembourg

An appointment is necessary and can be made either by phone  (+352 26 155 350, from Monday to Friday, 9.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 17.00) or by email ([email protected])

ASTI - Association de soutien aux travailleurs immigrés asbl

This organization offers free information and administrative assistance on immigration and residence matters through their service “Guichet Info Migrants”.

Passerell

This organization helps refugees, asylum-seekers (international protection applicants) and rejected asylum-seekers (international protection applicants) to defend and exercise their rights.

  • Address: 4, rue Mathias Hart, L-1717 Luxembourg
  • Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 10.00 – 19.00. Appointment on site, by phone (secretariat: +352 621 811 162, they can also be contacted on WhatsApp) or email ([email protected]) is necessary.
  • Free service

Reech eng Hand (Tends la main)

This project of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg aims to welcome, integrate and advocate for refugees and those seeking asylum (international protection).

Groups of volunteers in the parishes, associations and religious communities help them by providing language courses, socio-cultural activities and material support.

Croix-Rouge luxembourgeoise

Drop in service offering medical, social, psychological and material support and follow-up.

  • Address: 31, rue de Bonnevoie, L-1260 Luxembourg
  • Opening hours: On-site on Monday and Tuesday 10:00–18:00,
    open Tuesday to Friday from 16:00-12:00
  • Email address: [email protected]
  • Visit their website
  • Free service

See also: