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Services for victims of trafficking

Centres for Social Work

Centres for Social Work (CSW) are authorized to perform the following activities:

  • assess your needs, strengths and risks and provide relevant planned social protection services
  • conduct procedures and decide on rights to material benefits
  • initiate and participate in court and other proceedings in accordance with the law
  • initiate and develop preventive and other programs that should contribute to meeting the social protection needs
  • provide social protection services if there is no other authorized provider in the local community 

Information

In each CSW you have the right to receive information about:
  • all types of assistance and all institutions and organizations that provide such assistance
  • the types of protection to which you are entitled
  • where you can obtain legal advice, legal aid or any other type of advice
  • whether you have the right to interpretation and translation
  • how and where you can file an appeal and a complaint about the actions of the competent authorities
Keep in mind that not all CSW professionals are trained to deal with victims of trafficking.
CSWs also refer victims to other services, institutions and organizations to get information on their rights.

Urgent Intervention

If you find yourself in a situation that endangers your life, health or development, CSW is obliged to react immediately (available 24 hours a day).

Assessment of the Condition and Needs of Beneficiaries – Development of Individual Protection and Support Plan

CSW is in charge of assessing your condition and needs, as well as the condition and needs of your family members. You participate in this assessment freely and in all phases of the procedure. Based on the assessment, the CSW will develop an individual (family) plan for protection and support for you and your family members. Your opinion about your condition and needs must be taken into account when issuing the protection and support plan.
Individual protection and support plans are made for a definite period (for example, 3 or 6 months), and then the achieved results are evaluated, and new plans are agreed, adjusted to the current situation and your needs.
Your individual protection and support plan will state which activities will be implemented, for what period or for how long, who is in charge of implementing them and when and how it will be assessed whether your condition has improved and your needs have been met, and what other activities should be planned in the coming period.  You will actively participate in the implementation of the planned activities, but also in proposing their amendments, as well as in monitoring and evaluating the results achieved and in drafting a new plan for the coming period.
You are free to choose the provider of the planned activities, to change it if you are not satisfied and to complain about their work.
During this procedure, you have the right to the assistance of a trusted person of your choice.

Material Support

You can submit requests pertaining to the right to material support to a CSW.
Most of the required documentation for material support, the CSW obtains officially, with your approval.
The law provides for the following types of material support:
  • Financial social aid – You can claim this aid if you are able to work and you are unemployed, have no other monthly income, do not own land (more than 0.5 hectares) or other real estate (except housing), if you have not sold or donated real estate or waived the right to inherit and you have not signed a contract for lifelong support. In order to exercise this right, it is important that you are actively looking for a job, i.e. that you are registered in the unemployment register.
  • Increased financial social aid – You can claim this aid if you are a person with a disability or you are the only parent caring for a child and you are entitled to financial social aid.
  • Allowance for help and care of another person – You can claim it if you need help and care of another person due to your poor health condition in order to meet your basic living needs.
  • Employment training assistance – You can claim it if you are a person with a disability and you need support in education and training for work.
  • One-time financial aid – You can claim it if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot provide food, clothes, shoes, hygiene products, transport to a medical institution and the like.
  • Aid-in-kind – You can claim it if you need help to provide concrete items necessary for life (for example, firewood, bed, cooker…)
Exercising the right to one type of material assistance does not exclude the right to other types of material support.

Other Community Services

Within the social protection system, various services, from among four big groups of services, are available in local self-government units:
  • daily community services
  • support for independent living
  • counselling & therapeutic and social & educational services
  • accommodation services
You can get information on whether there are the aforementioned services in your municipality provided by the CSW. Some of the listed services are provided within:
  • Centre for the Development of Social Welfare Services – a special organizational unit of the CSW
  • Citizens’ associations or private social protection service providers – who should be licensed providers (meet certain conditions and have trained staff)

Daily Community Services

In a local CSW you can get information if and which services from the group of daily services they provide to the community. None of these services specializes in victims of trafficking.
To be eligible for any of these services, you must meet the following conditions:
  • Day-care centre can be used by people with physical disabilities, i.e. intellectual disabilities, who need day care; children and youth who are in conflict with the law, parents, school or community; adults and the elderly who need day care and supervision. This service can be used every day, but for a limited time.
  • Home help can be used if you are over 65 or if, for some other health reasons, you are unable to provide food, medicine, personal or household hygiene. People who provide this type of service will go shopping for you, prepare meals for you or tidy up the space where you live.
  • Shelters can be used if you become homeless and you need to meet basic needs, such as nutrition, personal hygiene. There you can learn about the exercising health and social protection rights

Support for Independent Living

In CSWs you can find out if there are any independent support services in the local community. None of these services specializes in victims of trafficking.

To be eligible for any of these services, you must meet the following conditions:
  • Supported housing – if you are impoverished or have no housing, and you can find out about the eligibility to use this right at the local CSW.
  • A personal companion – if you are a minor with a disability or developmental disability, and you need support in coping with daily activities, such as nutrition, personal care, clothing, school activities.
  • Personal assistance – if you are an adult with a disability and you need support in performing daily activities, you are entitled to an increased allowance for the care and assistance of another person. A personal assistant can support you in personal care, nutrition, clothing, household chores, shopping, work and leisure, as well as in communication with other people

Conselling & Therapeutic and Social-Educational Services

In CSWs you can find out if they provide any of the counselling & therapeutic and social & educational services in the local community, such as:
  • Intensive support services for families in crisis to improve family relationships, overcome crisis situations and acquire skills for independent and active life in the community.
  • Counselling and support of parents, foster parents and adoptive parents – if you need support to overcome certain challenges in the role of parents, foster parents or adoptive parents.
  • Maintaining family relationships and family reunification – if you need support in re-establishing and maintaining family relationships with children in alternative accommodation, all with the aim of reuniting with family.
  • Counselling and support – if you need support in resolving emotional difficulties, problems in relationships, family relationships, problems of maturing and growing up, or problems in relationships with people around you.
  • SOS line – if you need to be informed about your rights or need psychological and psychosocial support. There are several types of specialized SOS hotline services (for women victims of violence, people in crisis, for suicide prevention), as well as specialized (licensed) SOS hotline for victims of trafficking –operated by ASTRA – Anti-Trafficking Action (see the Chapter on specialized services for trafficked victims in this Brochure)
You can remain anonymous (not to tell your name and personal information) when calling the SOS line.

Accommodation Services

In CSWs you can find out about the possibility of creating a safe and stimulating environment, when it is not possible to have it in your family environment.
Depending on your situation and needs, you may use one of the following forms of accommodation:
  • You can use family accommodation if you are a child (if you are a full-time student, up to the age of 26) and your biological parents are temporarily or for a longer period unable to take care of you. The relatives or foster families will provide you with the necessary care, protection and conditions for development. You can also use family accommodation as an adult or elderly person if you need support to maintain or improve your quality of life.
  • You can use institutional accommodation regardless of age if you need housing, support in meeting basic living needs, as well as health care. Institutional accommodation is a form of collective accommodation, which means that other people who have encountered similar life challenges will share the space with you.
  • You can use temporary accommodation in a shelter if you need temporary care including accommodation, food and health care. You have the right to temporary accommodation in a shelter for children and youth if you are without parental care and are in a status of social need, if you are a victim of violence, some form of abuse and neglect or human trafficking or your existence is endangered for some other reason
CENTRE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS’ PROTECTION is a public institution that operates and provides services through two organizational units and covers the entire territory of Serbia.
OFFICE FOR COORDINATION OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS’ PROTECTION provides the following services:
  • identifies whether you are formally (in accordance with the law) a victim of trafficking
  • assesses your risk and condition, your strengths and needs, as well as the condition and needs of others in your environment
  • develops, in close cooperation with you, an individual plan of protection and support services that you will receive
  • refers you to other institutions or organizations that provide the services of protection and support which you need
  • cooperates with other institutions, bodies and organizations
  • coordinates
  • the process of your protection and support
  • your voluntary return to the country of origin, if you are not from Serbia, and
  • activities related to your preparation for participation in court proceedings
  • monitors the implementation of planned protection measures and support services and makes amendments to the individual plan, in cooperation with you and other bodies and service providers
  • collects information on available protection programs and available services in order to provide the most adequate help and support to you
SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING provides the following services (only for women over 16 and their children *):
  • provides a safe environment
  • provides food, clothing and footwear
  • provides prescribed medical therapy, rehabilitation and care of minor injuries
  • provides company when going to the doctor and other institutions
  • organizes work and educational content that allows you to acquire new knowledge and skills
  • provides support in maintaining contacts with your family and other people who are important to you
  • facilitates development of skills of self-protection, communication and other that you need for independent living and life in a community
  • provides legal aid and assistance and helps regulate your status
  • mediates in communication with diplomatic and consular missions
  • provides support in preparing to testify and participate in court proceedings
  • provides support in continuing education, job search and employment

Social Service Centers

The services of the National Employment Service (NES) are available to minors and adults, if you are Serbian or a foreign national, as well as if you are a migrant or asylum seeker, but the services can be provided to you only if you reside in the territory of the relevant branch (unit) of the NES.
You can access the NES services in person, or you can be referred by a local centre for social work or other competent institutions, including citizens’ associations.
You can use these services as long as you need them.
You can exercise the following rights and services in all branches of the National Employment Service:  
  • mediation in employment, i.e. development of skills, counselling and training for active job search and employment
  • career guidance and counselling on career planning, which includes information and counselling, psychological workshops and trainings
  • additional education and training, such as participation in professional practice programs, acquisition of practical knowledge, training at the request of the employer, functional primary adult education and the like
  • employment assistance (subsidies)
  • support for self-employment
  • incentives for material aid beneficiaries
  • employment within the public works program
  • other measures aimed at employment or maintaining employment
ASTRA – ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTION realizes specialized services of prevention, direct help and support to you and your family members, which are free and available 24/7
SOS LINE is a licensed service that provides information about:
  • the type of help you can get and where you can get it
  • how and under what conditions you can get protection, including protection measures
  • how and under what conditions you can obtain legal advice, legal aid or any other type of advice
  • how and under what conditions you are entitled to translation and interpretation services
  • the right to file a complaint or appeal in the event that your rights are not respected by the authorities
  • if you are under 15, all information will be given to your parents, guardians or adoptive parents, if it is in your best interest
DIRECT SUPPORT consists of the following services:
  • to have a member of the ASTRA Support Team be your trusted person – which means to inform you and help you make decisions and make choices on all the issues that are important to you, in your best interest
  • monitoring of all institutions during all procedures in which you will participate (assistance in exercising civil, economic and social rights)
  • assistance and support during the search, identification, recovery and reintegration process
  • help to continue education, vocational training, retraining
  • help to provide means for your work
  • medical care – general and specialized examinations, medical treatment and medication
  • psychological help – individual and group, as well as participation in self-help groups
  • legal assistance – obtaining legal advice and representation in court (in criminal, civil and non-litigious proceedings)
ASTRA’S TEAM for victims’ support is in charge for the whole territory of Serbia, which includes:
  • follow-up from the first contact throughout the process of your recovery, return and connection with the community in which you will live
  • assistance to you to successfully master all administrative procedures on the way of exercising your rights
  • assistance in obtaining employment, education or professional training, economic empowerment, attending foreign language and computer literacy courses, support and assistance in finding a job
ATINA – CITIZENS ‘ASSOCIATION FOR FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ALL FORMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE provides specialized services as part of three forms of support, which are free and available 24/7.
TEMPORARY HOUSE provides the following forms of specialized assistance:
  • safe accommodation and food
  • regulation of civil status
  • facilitation in exercising rights with relevant institutions
  • facilitation in obtaining medical assistance
  • psychological help
  • legal support and advice
  • support in elementary education, learning and search for employment
  • other forms of help and support you need, as well as help for your family members
OPEN CLUB – REINTEGRATION CENTER engages former beneficiaries of ATINA’s services in providing support and assistance:
  • training for participation in experiential support groups, as well as individual and group experiential support
  • legal support and advice
  • assistance in formal and alternative education
  • economic empowerment
  • other types of support you need
FIELD SUPPORT TEAM conducts activities throughout Serbia in cooperation with local organizations in order to help you connect and integrate into your community, upon return, through the following activities:
  • assistance in formal and alternative education
  • economic empowerment and job search assistance
  • legal support and advice
  • other types of support you need and assistance to your family
All the rights and services listed here that can be realized by victims of human trafficking refer to:
  • Regional Police Directorates, including the Police Administration for the City of Belgrade
  • Police Administration for the City of Belgrade – Administration for Foreigners
  • Criminal Police Directorate, Organized Crime Department
  • Department for Foreigners – Department for Sheltering and Accommodation
  • Police Directorate – Protection Unit

Information

As a victim of trafficking, you have the right to receive information that is relevant to the exercise of your rights, usually orally and in a language you understand:
  • on the procedure for filing a report regarding a committed crime and your role in criminal proceedings
  • under what conditions you can obtain protection, including protection during court proceedings
  • on the possibility to get free legal advice, legal information or representation and translation/interpretation services
  • on the procedures for filing an appeal / complaint in case the competent body in criminal proceedings does not respect the rights of the victim
  • on damage compensation for the committed criminal offense
  • information on whether the detained or convicted person has been released or escaped from detention, as well as on all measures imposed in order to protect you
  • on the possibilities of sheltering and accommodation
  • on regulation of residence status and issuance of personal documents
  • information regarding medical care and medical assistance
Police also refer victims to other services, institutions and organizations to get information on their rights.

Translation and Interpretation During Criminal and Other Proceedings

You have the right to translation and interpretation services to a language you understand in the proceedings before the police and other administrative bodies, if necessary.
It is possible to receive written information in a language you understand and to have the course of proceedings or legal acts interpreted, free of charge.
Police administrations generally also provide for interpretation in the proceedings (free of charge).
If you are a member of a national minority whose language is in official use in the municipality where the police is located, you have the right to have the administrative proceedings conducted in your language.

Identity and Security Protection

If there is a threat to your safety or the safety of other persons close to you, the police are obliged to protect you and your identity.
You have the right not to be interrogated in the presence of the accused (persons charged with having committed or assisted the perpetrator of the crime) and not to meet with them when giving a statement.
Most police departments have special rooms for interrogation of witnesses, and some of them use technical means.
In some police departments, the interrogation of female victims is conducted by trained female officers.

Assessment of Condition, Needs and Risks

Victims of trafficking have the right to an assessment of the condition and needs, especially of juvenile victims (especially in cases of intervention police patrols).
This includes measures to assess the victim’s risk, plan support, establish identity and citizenship, find their family and reunite with the minor’s family.

Residence Permit

A presumed victim of trafficking is entitled to a temporary residence of 90 days. A person established to be a victim of trafficking is entitled to a temporary residence of up to one year, which can be extended.
Temporary residence is granted if it is necessary for the protection and recovery of the victim of trafficking or for the court proceedings (even if the person does not meet some of the general criteria required for the residence permit for foreigners).
During your temporary residence, the police will inform you that you have the right to accommodation, psychological and material assistance, access to emergency medical care, access to education for minors, counselling and information in a language you understand, and in some cases the right to medical care, education, employment.
If you do not have a travel document and you have been granted temporary residence, you are entitled to an ID card.
You can apply for temporary residence in writing in person or electronically.
  • Police Directorate – Protection Unit
This unit provides protection and assistance to persons whose lives, safety and property are endangered due to testifying and providing information in criminal proceedings. It is authorized to provide:
  • physical protection of participants in the proceedings and persons close to them, as well as their property
  • change of residence or transfer to another institution
  • concealment of identity and property data, and the production of personal documents with altered data
  • change of identity, which implies a complete or partial change of personal data, and even the possibility of changing the physical characteristics of the person
This type of protection is provided to both adults and minors.
If your temporary stay has expired and you are in the process of returning, you have the following rights:
  • Police Administration for the City of Belgrade – Administration for Foreigners, Department for Sheltering and Accommodation
A foreigner who is in the process of repatriation may be ordered to stay in a shelter by a decision of the competent authority. The residence is granted for a period of up to 90 days, and under certain conditions it can be extended for another 90 days.

Information, Translation and Accommodation of Foreigners

If you are assigned to stay in a shelter for foreigners, you have the right to be informed as soon as possible, in writing in a language you understand, of the reasons for determining the stay (this service is free of charge).

The “house rules” that are translated into a language you understand must be followed in the shelter.

Families have the right to separate accommodation, with certain privacy.

Women get special accommodation in the shelter.

Persons with health and other special needs have the right to get alternative accommodation that is appropriate.
All the rights and services listed here that can be realized by victims of human trafficking refer to:
  • Higher Public Prosecutor’s Offices
  • Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime
  • Higher Courts
  • Higher Court in Belgrade – Special Department for Organized Crime
  • Appellate Public Prosecutor’s Offices and Appellate Courts

Offices for Information and Support for Victims and Witnesses

You can get information about your rights and your role in the proceedings, as well as the measures that may be imposed to protect your safety in these offices, which are located in the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Offices (HPPO), the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, as well as in the Higher Courts (HC).
If there is a need, this office can refer you to other institutions and organizations that can support you.
Experts of the same gender as the victim are engaged in some offices which work with juvenile victims of crime, and in some which work with adult victims as well.

Information

As a victim of trafficking, you have the right to receive the following information that is relevant to the exercise of your rights:
  • on medical care and assistance
  • psychological support, accommodation and other types of specialized support
  • the procedure for filing a report regarding the committed crime and your role in the criminal proceedings
  • under what conditions there will be measures for your safety
  • under what conditions you can receive compensation for the committed crime
  • about the possibility to get free legal advice, legal information or representation (attorney)
  • procedures for filing an appeal or complaint in the event that the competent authority in the criminal proceedings does not respect your rights
  • how to reimburse the costs of participating in criminal proceedings
  • on the suspension of the investigation and the suspension of further prosecution against the perpetrator of the criminal offense
  • on the possibility of filing a complaint if the public prosecutor does not undertake or withdraw from the prosecution, as well as the possibility of taking over the criminal prosecution and representation of the indictment
  • on the time and place of the trial, on the qualification of the charge for the committed criminal offense
  • that you can review documents and objects of evidence
  • how you can get information about the stage of the criminal proceedings
  • if the person against whom the proceedings are being conducted has been released or has escaped from custody, as well as about all the measures imposed for your protection
  • that you have the right to be served with a judgment and to be informed of the outcome of the proceedings
  • the possibility of filing an appeal against the decision on the costs of the proceedings and the possibility of filing a damage claim or an appeal against the decision on the awarded damage claim
The HPPO and HC refer victims to other offices, institutions and organizations to get information on their rights.

Translation and Interpretation During Judicial Proceedings

You have the right to use your language and script during the proceedings in the HPPO and HC.
If you say, during the proceedings, that you do not understand the language of the proceedings, you have the right to interpretation during the proceedings, as well as the right to get translated documents and other written evidence (some HPPOs only orally interpret legal acts).
You have the right to this service free of charge.
If you are unable to communicate in writing or orally in the proceedings (e.g. due to a disability), you have the right to be assigned an interpreter who will facilitate your participation in the proceedings (this service is free of charge).

Free Legal Aid

You have the right to be granted the status of especially vulnerable witness if there are any of the circumstances such as young age, gender, health condition, difficult manner or consequences of the committed crime or other circumstances due to which there is a special vulnerability. You have this right throughout the proceedings.
This means that you also have the right to a proxy (ex officio attorney) if this is important to protect your interests in the proceedings.
The proxy must be appointed from the first hearing of the defendant.
Victims of trafficking are entitled to free legal aid, which consists of providing legal advice, drafting submissions, representation and defence.
The request is submitted to the city / municipal administration bodies, according to your place of residence or place of free legal aid.

Security During the Court Proceedings

The status of especially vulnerable witness also means that you have the right to:
  • be questioned with assistance of a psychologist, social worker or other specially trained person to work with victims of crime
  • give statement via equipment for the transmission of images and sound, without the presence of the parties and other participants in the proceedings in the room where you are
  • give statement in your apartment or other space, or in an authorized institution
  • not to be confronted by the defendant, except if you request that and the court approves
  • to a proxy – ex officio
Most HPPOs and HCs have special rooms or have technical equipment for sound transmission (of your statement), in order to avoid contact of the victim with the perpetrator of the crime (some HPPOs and HCs also have special waiting rooms for victims).

Specialized Knowledge of Prosecutors and Judges

When a victim is granted the status of especially vulnerable witness, most HPPOs and HCs ensure that the statement is taken by a person who is specially trained to work with victims of crime and victims of trafficking.
Some HPPOs and some HCs make sure that the statement is taken by a person of the same gender as the victim, especially in the case of sexual or gender-based violence.
If you are a victim of human trafficking (a minor or an adult, domestic or foreign citizen), you have the right to health care through compulsory health insurance under the conditions determined by law, which means that you must submit:
  • a valid ID card, and if you do not have one
  • a certificate of residence issued by the police, or a certificate issued by the Centre for Human Trafficking Victims’ Protection
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