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Assistance to women victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in the Nordic and Baltic countries. A comparison of legislation

Document number
2077
Date
2008
Title
Assistance to women victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in the Nordic and Baltic countries. A comparison of legislation
Author/publisher
Nordic Baltic Network, European Women's Lobby
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Organized crime, Prosecution, Law Enforcement, Criminal justice, Judicial cooperation; Victim-centred approach, National anti-trafficking measures; Criminalisation, Punishment, Crime prevention;
Summary
The Nordic Baltic Network has carried out a legislative comparison of anti-trafficking legislation in the following countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden. The comparison provides an overview of the legal situation in the Nordic-Baltic region, the demands from international law, good practices from different countries, and areas where more or different legislation is needed to secure the rights of victims of trafficking. The following areas are covered:- Ratification status of international legal instruments
- National legislation against trafficking and the penalty for this crime
- Other national laws of relevance to combat trafficking
- Reflection period for VOTs, and the conditions for obtaining it
- Residence permit for VOTs, and the conditions for this permit
- Right to employment for VOTs when having a temporary residence permit, and the conditions for obtaining this right
- Right to compensation for VOTs
- Legislation on prostitution

The authors observe there is progress in the Nordic-Baltic region in the area of legislation, and that there are many good practices to take up on, but also point to the remaining challenges, where "legislation can serve as a tool to increase and ensure the rights of victims of trafficking, such as the right to an unconditional reflection period, residence permits on the ground of having been trafficked, and the right to compensation."
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