The authorities must act if a person may be a victim of human trafficking. When there are signs of trafficking, they must refer the person to the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking. For example, the Danish Working Environment Authority, the Danish Tax Agency, the Danish Immigration Service and the police refer individuals they encounter on construction sites, in the prostitution environment or within the asylum system to the centre.
Trafficking Interview
When a person is referred to Danish Centre against Human Trafficking, social workers from the centre conduct an interview with the person. During the interview, the social worker asks about the person’s situation and experiences to determine whether there are indicators of human trafficking.
Some indicators are more obvious, such as physical signs of violence or situations where an employer withholds a person’s passport or personal documents. Other indicators require professional judgement, such as fear or evasive behaviour. Debt or unpaid wages may also indicate trafficking and are then explored by asking them about any possible payment for travel to Denmark, contracts or other aspects of the person’s financial situation.
Interviews may take place in detention facilities, prisons, asylum centres or accommodation sites. Interpreters are used unless the person speaks Danish or is sufficiently fluent in English.
NGOs such as AmiAmi, HopeNow, Reden International and the Danish Red Cross may have established a relationship with the person through their work. In such cases, an NGO staff member may participate in the trafficking interview together with the centre. This can help create a safe environment and strengthen the cooperation between NGOs and the authorities.
If indicators of human trafficking are identified in the interview and the person is officially identified as trafficked, they become eligible for support under the Danish national action plan to combat human trafficking. They may also receive support and accommodation while the assessment is ongoing and while awaiting the final assessment (see also step 3).
Trafficking interview as the basis for final assessment
In most cases, the trafficking interview(s) conducted by the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking forms the basis for determining whether the person is a victim of trafficking. This requires the person’s consent for information from the interview to be shared with other authorities.
In some cases, the Danish Immigration Service may make a final assessment without an interview conducted by the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking. This applies, for example, if the trafficked person is an asylum seeker and does not wish to speak with the centre, or does not consent to involve the centre. In such cases, the decision is based on information provided to the Immigration Service during the asylum process or to the police during questioning.
A final assessment cannot be appealed to another authority.
Special considerations regarding children
Special rules and considerations apply when assessing whether a child may be a victim of human trafficking. For example, a guardian or personal representative must be present during the trafficking interview if the child is unaccompanied. The guardian or representative may be from the Danish Red Cross or a caseworker from the municipality.
Under the Danish Child Act, children and young people in need of special support have the right to have a say in matters concerning them. Their views must be obtained and considered continuously before decisions are made. This also applies when the child has accepted an assisted voluntary return and reintegration.
When the police suspect human trafficking involving a child, they must contact:
- The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking
- The social services in the responsible municipality
- The Danish Red Cross, which provides a representative
Under the Danish Child Act, anyone who becomes aware that a child or young person under 18 years of age is being neglected, subjected to degrading treatment or living under conditions that endanger their health or development is obligated to notify the municipality.
Professionals are mandated to report concerns. This applies to public employees and others performing public functions, including doctors and staff at residential facilities, crisis centres and various treatment services. These individuals must act solely based on circumstances suggesting that a child or young person may need special support.
When the municipality receives a report, it must assess within 24 hours whether the child’s or young person’s health or development is at risk and whether urgent interventions are required. The municipality must also assess whether the report indicates a need for further support measures.