If you find yourself in an abusive situation and are a victim of human trafficking you can contact a specialized NGO in the country, you are currently located in. Most of these NGOs run a hotline available 24h. Please consult the following website for more information: Members – La strada International
Alternatively, you can call the anti-trafficking governmental hotlines. Please find the list of hotlines in EU countries here: National Hotlines (europa.eu).
If you are located in Switzerland, you can contact the following NGOs from the Swiss Platform against human trafficking depending on your location:
- Fachstelle Frauenhandel und Frauenmigration: by phone 0041 44 436 90 00 or email [email protected]
- Astree: by phone 0041 21 544 27 97 or email [email protected]
- Antenna MayDay: by phone 0800 123 321 (hotline) / 0041 91 973 70 67 or email [email protected]
- CSP Genève: 0800 20 80 20 by phone or email [email protected]
For more information provided by the Swiss migration authorities you can consult this webpage (also available in Ukrainian and Russian). Don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you need help. You will also find additional contact details of organisations that can support you in the canton you are currently living here.
If you are located in Liechtenstein, you can contact the Frauenhaus who offers counselling and shelter: 00 423 380 02 03 (hotline always available) or email: [email protected] If you are a victim of violence, you can also contact the dedicated service of Liechtenstein authorities (Opferhilfestelle): Phone: +423 236 76 96, Email: [email protected]
Key messages:
- There are many that will want to help you, but not everyone is who they say they are. There are persons who want 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 services you do not agree with. Or they may want to harm you or take your belongings.
There are signs you can look for to keep yourself and your family safe. For example, be alert if someone:
- is asking for your passport or other identification documents (apart from public authorities, for example at border check points).
- 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 ‘depts’).
- is offering assistance – such as food – only if you do such ‘services’.
- is promising to help you get registered, relocated or resettled to another country against 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.
There are steps you can take to stay safe:
- 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 a place to stay:
- Use organised accommodation by known organisations, if possible.
- There are many reception centres, hotels, hostels and non-government organisations offering 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. Don’t accept to be 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 on beforehand.
If you are looking for transportation:
- Use organised transportation by known providers, as far as this is possible.
- Many companies in the EU are now offering free travel for people fleeing Ukraine. See this webpage for options: Information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine | European Commission (europa.eu)
- Don’t accept to be removed from your family or those you arrived with, and don’t give away your documents. Always agree on a price on beforehand.
Advices for a safe journey are also available in Ukrainian here: Be safe on the way – LEFÖ (lefoe.at)