1. The schemes and tricks traffickers use

• Seduction and romance

Traffickers can be experts at manipulation, forming romantic relationships with people before they become their victims. Through grooming and abuse, the trafficker isolates the victims from their family and friends, offering them false promises of a great life abroad.

• False job advertisements

Attractive job opportunities abroad can also be a tool for traffickers to lure vulnerable people into their web. These jobs are often advertised with a veneer of legitimacy and at times target desperate people in countries which are experiencing civil unrest and poverty.

It’s a common reality in Malta and across the globe with traffickers seizing victims documents, leaving them open for rampant exploitation.

These jobs can be anything from carers to hospitality, construction, sports and tourism.

• Sale by family

Parts of the world have been decimated by unrest and poverty with families resorting to selling off their own children to traffickers just to survive.

Of course, there are many who exploit this situation with malicious intent, promising people educational opportunities, marriage, adoption and even family reunification just to get their hands on their latest victim. 

2. How do traffickers control their victims?

Traffickers can use a variety of techniques to control their victims with physical abuse, threats, lies, and isolation all commonplace. 

But traffickers also use other methods of control, like making victims become dependent, whether that’s with drugs, debt, controlling their movements or the removal of documents like passports or immigration papers. 

It can be all or some, but these realities are commonplace in Malta. Lovin Malta has previously reported how some migrant workers fork out thousands to local companies to get employment in Malta. These companies become their employers, landlord and gateway into Malta, leaving them in an impossible situation. 

Some victims just do not understand their surroundings, finding themselves in a country that’s miles away from home. Worryingly, many are terrified of authorities and fear that they could be the criminals in the situation, as seen with the case of Jaiteh Lamin.

3. What are the most common forms of trafficking in Malta?

Prostitution and other activities linked to sex work like porn, strip clubs or escorts are rife with trafficking. However, the common misconception is that trafficking is limited to just sex work and it couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Forced labour, especially in industries linked to hospitality, cleaning, construction, beauty, fishing and even sports, can be a hotbed for trafficking. As is domestic servitude, which refers to live-in caregivers and similar roles.

4. Are you a victim of trafficking?

Here are just a few questions you could ask yourself:

•  Are you in possession of your travel documents? If not, who has control of your documents?
• Is your freedom of movement restricted?
• Did you come to Malta recruited to work one particular job, then upon your arrival were told that you would be working in another possibly less pleasant job?
• Are you currently working your job in order to pay back debt to the people who brought you to Malta?
• Have you been threatened or feel forced by your employer to work?
• Do you feel that you have been forced to perform sexual acts related to your job by your employer?
• Do you feel that you are deprived of basic needs such as medical care/treatment and other necessities?
• Are you allowed to communicate freely with your friends and family back home?
• If you are a minor, do you feel that the work you are doing is suitable for someone your age?
• Do you feel like your employer has forced you to live like a slave?
• Are you working for very low or no pay at all?
• Are you working without a contract of employment?
• Are you being consistently overworked and have no time off?

5. What to do if you’re a victim of human trafficking?

First and foremost. Do not panic. You have not done anything wrong.

Police are there to help you and you will be protected from anyone you think will hurt you. And it is important to know that you will not be forced to give evidence in court if you do not want. You will even have a two-month reflection period to see whether you would want to cooperate with the police.

NGOs and other bodies are also there to help so do not be afraid to reach out. You are the victim, not the criminal.

As a victim, you will be allowed to remain in Malta and receive support in a language you understand. You will be assisted in returning to your home country but will also be offered shelter and support in Malta while you stay here. That includes access to medical care, work, education and legal aid.

6. What happens if you cooperate with the police?

The police will take your declaration and consult with you further if it is necessary for their investigation.

After the investigation is complete, charges will be issued against the trafficker and they are taken to court.

Once the court starts hearing the case, you will be asked to come and testify against the trafficker.

You will testify via video conference and would NOT be in the same room with the trafficker. You will be asked questions by both the prosecution and the defence lawyers in that same sitting and you will not be asked to go to court again.

The court will issue a protection order in your favour to ensure that the trafficker cannot contact you or come near you. If they break the protection order, then make sure to inform the police immediately so that they take action against the trafficker.

Sometimes a court expert may contact you to take any data from your mobile or electronic devices.

During the trial you have a right to a lawyer to assist and represent you, an interpreter if you cannot speak Maltese or English.

You also have the right to be informed about the trial and its outcome.

If you were doing something illegal because of the trafficking, you cannot be prosecuted for the crime. 

7. Who should you contact?

Police: 

Location – Police General Headquarters in Floriana

Contact – +356 2294 4001

Emails – [email protected]

Website – https://pulizija.gov.mt/opres/home.asp

Women’s Rights Foundation:

E-mail – [email protected]

Website – https://www.wrf.org.mt/contact

Contact – 80062149 or 79708615

Victim Support Malta:

E-mail – [email protected]

Website – https://victimsupport.org.mt/about-us/

Contact – +356 2122 8333

Victim Support Unit:

Telephone – 21224001

Email – [email protected]

Legal Aid Malta:

Telephone – 22471500

Email – [email protected]

Agenzija Appogg:

Website – https://fsws.gov.mt/en/Pages/FSWS%20Forms/

report-abuse-human-trafficking-form.aspx

Telephone – 22959000

Emergency:

112

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