Page 116 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Human trafficking victim service providers

Table 2. Perceptions of the service provided
Perceptions about the service provided Disagree/ Neither agree Agree/Completely
Completely disagree nor disagree agree
(n=17) (n=17) (n=17)
The institution where I work can meet the needs of (presumed) victims. 2 - 15
The institution where I work has specific intervention protocols for (presumed) victims 1 2 14
of human trafficking.
Specific intervention protocols for (presumed) victims of human trafficking are helpful. - 1 16
The problems of (presumed) victims of human trafficking are different from those of - 3 14
victims of other crimes.
The needs of (presumed) victims of human trafficking are different from those of victims - 2 15
of other crimes.
Human trafficking victim support services are responsive to victims’ needs. 1 1 15
Human trafficking victim support services are tailored to victims’ needs. 2 - 15
In the institution where I work, the (presumed) victim is involved in its support process - 1 16
(e.g., the support and the various phases of the process are explained to the victim).
In the institution where I work, the (presumed) victim participates in decision-making 2 1 14
(e.g., the victim is allowed to choose and decide on specific aspects of the support
process, such as training area or professional reintegration).
There is coordination with governmental institutions in the institution where I work - - 17
(e.g., Border Patrol and Employment Center).
In the institution where I work, there is coordination with judicial forces. 2 - 15
There are internal rules/procedures on the intervention with victims of trafficking 2 1 14
persons in the institution where I work.
In the institution where I work, there is training on human trafficking. - 3 14
In the institution where I work, there is multidisciplinary coordination. 3 1 13
In the institution where I work, there is technical supervision. 2 4 11
In the institution where I work, translators/interpreters have specialized training in 5 6 4
attending to victims of human trafficking.
The institution usually informs the (presumed) victim about their rights. 1 - 17
The institution provides the (presumed) victim with a period of reflection (up to 60 1 5 11
days).
The (presumed) victim is informed that the support/protection process does not depend 1 2 14
on an obligation to collaborate with judicial processes.
The (presumed) victim is informed that the support/protection process does not depend - 2 15
on an obligation to provide evidence.
The (presumed) victim is informed about the possibility of assisted return. - 2 15
The victim is informed of the possibility of compensation. 2 1 14

fleeing an entire network of organized crime, sometimes more challenging process of support and reintegration. As
transnational, and fearing reprisals against their families, Participant 26 explained, “although all victims, regardless
whereas victims of domestic abuse are usually fleeing of type, have emotional and psychological wounds, in the
from a single offender. This makes providing safety more case of HT victims, these wounds are even deeper. That is
complex, as Participant 16 observed, there is “greater why the work takes time; it takes the victim time to adapt to
complexity in protecting the victim and his/her family the new reality and to believe that we are a way of helping
[considering] the factor of transnationality and sometimes them start a new life.”
organized crime.” In addition, participants noted that foreign trafficking
Another distinction is the impact on victims of HT, victims often lack citizenship, making it more difficult
which may be more severe than that experienced by to meet their needs compared to Portuguese victims
victims of domestic abuse. This leads to a longer and of domestic abuse. Participant 3 emphasized this: “The

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 108 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3215