Commission

In the Netherlands, 60% of applicants for accommodation and care (both victims of sexual and
labour exploitation) were placed in specialised Categorical Accommodation and Assistance for Victims
of Human Trafficking (COSM) accommodation upon entering the reflection period (CoMensha,
2014). Housing elsewhere is arranged once a victim of trafficking has the temporary residence permit.
Under COSM, dedicated shelter for trafficked persons has been provided as policy. Shelters are
spread over three locations, including one for male victims (CoMensha, 2015).
Entry into the UK NRM means provision of immediate housing and subsistence needs then referral
to a range of services including psychosocial support, legal advice, move on advice and assistance
on employability and securing employment. Trafficked persons who were interviewed were positive
about being offered housing immediately, including the option to be housed far away from their
traffickers and therefore in a place where they could feel safe.
In Romania, there are no shelters that can accommodate male victims, despite the fact that they are
the most predominant amongst the population of victims of labour exploitation. Female victims of
trafficking for sexual exploitation receive residential assistance in State or NGO shelters. The shelters
run by NGOS are open and semi-open and the accommodation is provided on a short to medium
term basis. During the research focus groups participants suggested that there was not a need
for specialised shelters for male victims given how few male victims articulate a need for residential
assistance. Those trafficked persons interviewed and assisted by ADPARE did not request shelter as
they were eager to return to their families, in which they are the main providers.
GAPS
Limitations on the availability of housing
In the Netherlands, once victims of trafficking are no longer recognised as such by the judicial
system, they lose their entitlements and become undocumented migrants, for whom there is no
reliable and safe accommodation. The asylum system is used as an alternative by some. Others make
use of ad-hoc and local arrangements for undocumented migrants, for example accessing assistance
through some municipal governments. Many of those who do not have or no longer have B8 status
resort to informal networks, sometimes the same networks they share with the trafficker, for
housing:
“After I ran away, I could stay with a friend. She is the friend of a friend. My friend in Canada
brought me in touch with her through facebook. She is from my country also, and married to a
Dutch guy.” – Sierra
Such alternatives are limited, erratic, and potentially unsafe, posing a re-trafficking risk to the individual.
Two trafficked persons interviewed reported returning to their trafficker, and one explicitly
stated this was because she lacked alternative housing options.
“I left the house and was afraid. I didn’t know where to go. I had no money, no passport. I was
roaming the streets for two years. Then I went back to my employer as I had no other options.” –
Wayan
In Romania, there are no specialised shelters for assisting victims of trafficking for forced labour. If
men need accommodation, they are referred to shelters for vulnerable persons or homeless people,
given the lack of specialised shelters or protective apartments for male victims. Since 2008 there has
not been any Government funding for trafficking assistance:
“We can only support trafficked persons emotionally. We don’t have special funds for their
assistance and we don’t have enough or specialised personnel” (Interview with social worker,
Romania, 2015)
NGO shelters operate with external funds, donations or sponsorship. Romanian government and
non-governmental actors interviewed attributed the lack of resources to the small number of victims
of trafficking for forced labour who are assisted. Few State run shelters are functional and they
only receive those trafficked for sexual exploitation. It was impossible to find out how many State
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