Leave No Child Behind – Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Sweden

You have been promised a job abroad, a chance to escape poverty and build a better life for yourself and your family. Upon arrival, the promises vanish into thin air, and you find yourself trapped in extremely poor working and living conditions.  

Even if this scenario seems distant to you, it is happening closer than you think. It is only one example of human trafficking which can take many different forms, including trafficking for labour, sexual, or criminal purposes. Every corner of the world is affected by this heinous phenomenon in one way or another. Human trafficking is a severe violation of human rights, involving the recruitment, transportation, and harboring of a person through force, coercion, fraud, deception, or abduction, all for the purpose of exploitation.  

Sometimes described as a form of modern slavery, human trafficking is often invisible. It is difficult to detect since victims are often deliberately isolated and afraid to seek help, fearing the consequences for themselves and their loved ones.  

When a victim is identified and referred for assistance to escape the trafficking situation, one option available is to voluntarily return to their country of origin. Considering the potential risks before, during and after the return, it is important that return and reintegration processes are planned ahead and supported where needed.  

Since 2012, in cooperation with various actors in Sweden, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported the return and sustainable reintegration of around 30 trafficking and exploitation victims annually from Sweden. The programme has been financed by the Swedish Gender Equality Agency since 2018. 

“Our goal is to ensure every return is dignified, well organized, and safe,” explains Pia Lindqvist, a Caseworker in the project, managed by IOM’s country office in Finland.  

Each return process begins with comprehensive pre-departure counselling in Sweden, led by regional anti-trafficking coordinators based in municipalities. The pre-departure counselling includes preparation for every step of the return and reintegration process, in close collaboration with IOM Finland and other IOM offices worldwide. Ahead of the return, IOM also makes an assessment of the individual support needs and potential risks in the case. After the return, IOM continues to support the victims, to ensure their sustainable reintegration and following their progress. 

An average of one in three victims of human trafficking globally is a child. Recognizing this harsh reality, Pia works as the Child Focal Point in her team, ensuring that a child-sensitive approach is implemented throughout the project. 

"We assist both child victims of trafficking and children returning with family members, who have been subjected to trafficking or exploitation. Each case is assessed individually and with consideration of the best interest of the child ,” Pia explains. “We are currently developing more child-sensitive processes throughout our programme to enhance our approaches.”  

“Children of victims can sometimes be overlooked in discussions about trafficking. They must be seen as individuals, not just as part of their family. We address their unique needs and recognize the secondary trauma and mental health challenges they may experience when a family member has been subjected to trafficking," Pia emphasizes.  

IOM continuously works with various stakeholders to better support and protect child victims of trafficking. In February 2024, IOM organized a workshop on the topic in Stockholm, in partnership with the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Swedish Gender Equality Agency. The workshop brought together NGOs, the police, social services, and other government actors with the aim of improving cooperation on both a national and international level, to ensure better support to child victims of trafficking.  

“The aim is to truly leave no child behind. We can only succeed in this mission through understanding child trafficking as its own phenomenon, working to increase awareness around it, and continuing to strengthen cooperation between all actors involved in countering human trafficking,” Pia concludes, highlighting the various efforts needed to combat this global issue.  

IOM encourages Member States and key actors to engage in eliminating trafficking. The Swedish Gender Equality Agency coordinates counter-trafficking activities in Sweden and is the donor of IOM Finland’s programme assisting victims of trafficking and exploitation, including foreign citizens in prostitution in Sweden. Potential beneficiaries are referred to IOM by Swedish regional anti-trafficking coordinators. IOM Finland works with the Swedish regional anti-trafficking coordinators, different authorities, and NGOs in planning and arranging return and sustainable reintegration in a safe and dignified manner.