Human Trafficking

Human trafficking occurs everywhere in the Netherlands, including the municipality of Voorne aan Zee.
It involves recruiting, transporting, receiving or housing people with the use of coercion.
The goal of a human trafficker is the exploitation of a victim. Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking, but some groups are especially vulnerable. Minors, refugees, (labor) migrants and people with mild intellectual disabilities are at higher risk of being caught in an exploitative situation.

Forms

  • Sexual exploitation: The forced provision of sexual services for (financial) gain for others. It occurs in physical services as well as online.
  • Criminal exploitation: A person is forced to commit a criminal act. The earnings from this go (in part) to the exploiter. Examples include theft and drug-related crimes. 
  • Labor exploitation: A person is forced to work under poor conditions for no or too little pay. 
  • Forced organ removal: Victims of forced organ removal are forced to donate an organ. Relatively little is known about this in the Netherlands.

Signaling human trafficking

Human trafficking is not always visible. That is why it is important to keep our eyes open for subtle signs and report them. Possible signals include: 

  • Change in behavior, appearance, (expensive) clothing.
  • Anxious, submissive during frequent calls over a second phone, for example.
  • School absenteeism.
  • Substance (drug) use.
  • New social contacts, strangers to previous friends.
  • Not having your own ID/passport.
  • Approach of people at different times.
  • Structurally having to work far too long hours.
  • Having to do dangerous work without proper protective equipment.
  • Being dependent on the employer for living quarters. For example, sleeping in the workplace. 

Suspected human trafficking?

Your vigilance and cooperation in reporting suspicious situations enhance safety in Voorne aan Zee. Your report, no matter how small, can make a big difference. Are you in doubt or do you suspect human trafficking? Please report it:

  • In case of emergency: 112.
  • No urgency, but police: 0900 - 8844 ask for the AVIM department (Human Trafficking Team).
  • Hotline Expert Center for Sexuality, Sex Work and Human Trafficking: 010 - 236 52 56.
    Available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including weekends.
  • You can report suspected labor exploitation to the Dutch Labor Inspectorate: 0800 - 51 51.
  • You can also report anonymously through Report Crime Anonymously: 0800 - 7000.

In addition, each municipality in the Rotterdam region has at least one human trafficking attention officer who can be reached through the municipality's general number.