Victims of Trafficking of Human Beings
The Social Welfare Services, in order to safeguard the rights of victims of trafficking of human beings, in cooperation with other Government Services, provide support and protection services to victims of trafficking of human beings, in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and of the Protection of Victims Law of 2014 (L.60 (I)/2014).
More specifically, the Social Welfare Services provide individual assistance and support to victims as well as protection of their privacy. Victims are informed about their rights, they are provided with access to information, they receive psychological support and financial assistance, medical care, housing, employment and social reintegration, including referrals to other Services involved (Ministry of Health, Mental Health Services, Department of Labour, etc.) and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Services are also provided to women victims of sexual exploitation, through the State Shelter for Victims of Sexual Exploitation, which is one of the available options for accommodation, for the purpose of protecting and supporting victims.
Under section 44 of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and the Protection of Victims Law of 2014 (L.60 (I)/2014), the SWS have been designated as the competent authority for prompt and initial response in the event that any Government Service or Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) involved considers or has reasonable information that any person may be a victim of trafficking. Each Government Service and NGO involved which comes into contact with potential victims of trafficking in the course of their professional duties or under any other circumstances, are obliged to record all data and information related to persons who may be victims of trafficking, in the official Report Form of Social Welfare Services (Form SWS 195) and forward it to the SWS for further handling.
Victims of Crime
When a person is identified as a victim because of an offence committed against him or her and his or her family members, then the provisions of Laws of 2016 and 2022 establishing Minimum Standards on the Rights, Support and Protection of Victims of Crime shall apply, and the person receives support services under sections 10 and 11 of the above Laws.
In particular, the SWS are obliged to provide free of charge and confidential support services to victims, information about possible compensation they may be entitled to and information on their own role in the criminal procedure, information about existing special support services and refer them to the relevant services, for further emotional and psychological support, housing or financial support.
Victims of Terrorism
The Law on Combating of Terrorism and Victims’ Protection Law 75(I)/2019 entered into force for the purpose of harmonisation with the act of the European Union titled "Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of March 15, 2017.
The SWS implement the provisions of section 34, subsection (1-4) of the above Law and provide support services to victims which include, among other things, protection measures, support and assistance that meet the special needs of victims of terrorism and other family members. The SWS are at the same time also involved in the implementation of section 38 in relation to transnational cooperation to ensure support and provision of information to the victim.