Guidance on Trauma-Informed National Referral Mechanisms and Responses to Human Trafficking

Building on the experience and lessons learned since States began to establish NRMs, it explains the specific needs and risks of adults and children who are victims of trafficking, centring all communications and actions on the protection of victims and the overall prevention of human trafficking. [...] The lived experience and professional expertise of survivor leaders contributes to the understanding of the importance of ensuring a victim- and survivor-centred, child-friendly, age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, trauma-informed and human rights-based approach throughout the Code of Practice. [...] Therefore, professionals who come into contact with victims and survivors of trafficking in the course of any aspect of their work should be aware of, and be able to recognize the impact of trauma and should be trained in trauma-informed methods of working. [...] First responders or authorities tasked with the preliminary identification of presumed victims of traf- ficking and granting a Recovery and Reflection period; authorities tasked with the conclusive iden- tification of victims of trafficking and the granting of related rights and entitlements. [...] The trauma-informed methods of working in the TiCC can be applied to all forms of communication regardless of length and level of formality, and are therefore helpful to law enforcement and national authorities as well as NGOs and civil society organizations.