Peter was left in England without any documents, without access to his bank account and he was denied contact with his family. He became the victim of trafficking in human beings. Thanks to the IOM reintegration assistance, Peter is currently at home and is able to earn his living and support his family.

Peter was recruited to work as a painter in England by the friend from his hometown in Eastern Slovakia. He promised Peter to help him with the arrangement of social benefits for his six children. He really got the job and benefits. However, the bank account to which money was transferred, was at the disposal of Peter’s friend. Despite Peter’s disagreement, he was forced to keep working by the means of threatening and intimidation. Traffickers did not give him the personal documents back, Peter was under their control and was not allowed to contact his family. After three months he managed to escape and return back to Slovakia, upon which his family contacted IOM and Peter agreed to be included into Return and Reintegration Programme for Trafficked Persons.

Reintegration care for victims of trafficking contributes to the client‘s stabilization after his return home, so the risk that such situation will recur is minimized. The IOM staff elaborated a reintegration plan together with Peter – accommodation being a priority, because his house was damaged by accidental fire. Unemployed Peter got one-time financial support and counselling. His situation required intensive social assistance as well. Therefore IOM contacted the social worker from Peter’s region, who was trained to work with victims of trafficking in the past. This social worker helped Peter to analyse his family financial budget, to ensure building material for repairing his house, to get the personal documents and to orientate in social benefits system. He also prepared a CV together with Peter and assisted him with searching for a job. Because another child was born in his family, IOM staff sent him clothes and further material help. When the client decided to cooperate with the police regarding the criminal proceedings in his human trafficking case, the social worker supported Peter accordingly.

Reintegration of victims of trafficking in human beings is a long-term process. Meanwhile, Peter has found a part-time job and is now able to earn his family living and support his family. Despite this, his economical situation is still affected by the problems with the possession of Peter´s family house, as well as by usury in the community he lives in. Considering this, intensive social assistance is still inevitable in this case.

(Names were changed for protection reasons.)

More information on IOM activities in Counter-trafficking in Human Beings.

Return and Reintegration Programme for Trafficked Persons is carried out by IOM Bratislava as the integral part of national Programme of support and protection of victims of trafficking in human beings, which is financed by Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.