Encountering victims of human trafficking in healthcare and social welfare

Who are the guidelines for?

This guideline is intended for professionals working in healthcare and social welfare services involved in client work. It provides recommended practices and aims to support the early identification of human trafficking, address victims’ service needs, and ensure their safe referral to appropriate services and authorities.

The Health Care Act (1326/2010) and the Social Welfare Act (1301/2014) require that a client’s service needs are assessed comprehensively, which also includes considering the aspects of safety and the risk of violence or exploitation. The provision of services for victims of human trafficking is also governed by the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on the Identification of and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Being (the Reception Act) (746/2011).

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking refers to exploitation as defined in the Criminal Code, where a person is coerced into acting according to the perpetrator’s will for financial or other gain.

The most common forms of human trafficking in Finland include labour exploitation, forced labour, forced marriages, sexual exploitation (including exploitation in prostitution), and exploitation in criminal activities.
The NAS Annual Statistics 2025 (Ihmiskauppa.fi)

Identifying signs of human trafficking

Human trafficking may be associated with various physical, psychological, and social indicators that must not be ignored. A victim’s behaviour may differ from what is considered typical and may reflect experiences of violence, control, or coercion.

Act safely and support the client

The following considerations are often essential when working with individuals who have experienced exploitation. Understanding them will help you encounter victims of human trafficking.

In the encounters, apply the guiding principles of the trauma-informed approach:

• Prepare for the meeting – gather all necessary materials and make sure your own basic needs are met.
• Enhance safety – engage in a friendly and sensitive manner, respect privacy, and do not pressure the client. Create an environment where the client feels physically and emotionally safe.
• Attend to basic needs – make sure the client has rested and eaten so they can focus on the situation.
• Support empowerment – be transparent when explaining different options, respect the client’s decisions, and provide opportunities for asking questions.
• Be transparent – maintain professional boundaries, make sure the client understands your role, act consistently and openly. Explain your actions and what will happen next. Do not promise too much.
• Offer choices – allow the client to make decisions about matters that concern them, provide information about their rights and obligations, and allow time and space for the client to proceed at their own pace.
• Work collaboratively – make decisions about services together with the client and offer opportunities to evaluate the success of care and services.

Safety is crucial in client work. In addition to the client’s safety, you must also consider the safety of those close to them as well as your own safety. When making client entries, keep in mind that the exploiter may have access to patient or client records. If necessary, use documentation that is not visible in the national health portal (OmaKanta) or delay the visibility of information if there are risks in the situation.

Refer to appropriate services

When a victim of human trafficking has a registered municipality of residence, the responsibility for assessing and organising services lies with the wellbeing services counties.

The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking is responsible for making arrangements for services when the victim does not have a municipality of residence. Reception centres provide reception services for asylum seekers and recipients of temporary protection. Regardless of the victim’s residence status, you can refer them to the Assistance System.
The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (Ihmiskauppa.fi)

Services for victims of human trafficking:

• Wellbeing services counties are responsible for providing needs-based healthcare and social welfare services for their residents and others staying in the area, such as undocumented persons and international students.
• The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking is responsible for supporting clients without a municipality of residence, such as asylum seekers and undocumented persons. This support includes counselling, health and social services, safe accommodation, financial assistance, and legal advice. Regardless of the client’s residence status, the Assistance System provides guidance on arranging support measures, and criminal and residence permit matters.
• Reception centres provide services under the Reception Act for those without a municipality of residence who are seeking or receiving international protection. These services include accommodation, healthcare and social welfare, and reception allowance.

If you need help referring someone to services, consult professionals within the healthcare and social welfare system and other authorities, such as the National Assistance System and the police. You can also seek expert support from NGOs with long-standing experience in assisting victims of human trafficking.

The “Four-Leaf Clover” network forms the most significant NGO network in Finland for assisting victims of human trafficking and promoting their rights. The network includes:

• MONIKA – Multicultural Women’s Association
• The Finnish Refugee Advice Centre
• Pro-tukipiste ry 
• Victim Support Finland (RIKU)

Provide the client with realistic information about the assistance system and the impacts of a client relationship in the system. Also make sure that you have up-to-date information about the client’s situation. The National Assistance System provides guidance and counselling through its 24/7 helpline.
The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (Ihmiskauppa.fi)

Engage in multidisciplinary collaboration

Assisting victims of human trafficking requires effective multidisciplinary collaboration. It is also important to respect the client’s right and opportunity to influence who is included in their network. The client must also be involved in all stages of the process.

Make sure to do the following:

• If necessary, refer the client to social services, the police, legal aid offices, or the Finnish Immigration Service.
• If you are a healthcare professional, also assess the need for social support and, if necessary, submit a notification of concern.
• If you are a social welfare professional, you are responsible for coordinating the multidisciplinary collaboration. Other authorities must participate in assessing service needs and preparing the client plan when requested by the responsible worker.