Focal point

Raising awareness amongst law enforcement authorities

Convictions for human trafficking are still rare in Switzerland. Unfortunately, criminal investigations are often put on hold or the proceedings are closed due to a lack of evidence. The means used for exploiting someone are often very subtle and hard to detect and therefore particularly difficult to prove. The cooperation of the victim and possible witnesses with law enforcement authorities is therefore crucial for a conviction. A successful collaboration requires adequate treatment and protection of victims and witnesses.

Recommendations of the Plateforme Traite:

Law enforcement must take into account the specific nature of the crime (uprooted, disoriented victims) and the trauma resulting from the exploitation (memory lapses, post-traumatic disorders, lack of spatial and temporal reference points). Police and judiciary need to be trained with regard to the specific situation of victims of trafficking (mechanisms, trauma, difficulties, etc.).