La Strada Documentation Center

WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women. In Croatian

Document number
2260
Date
2003
Title
WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women. In Croatian
Author/publisher
Cathy Zimmerman, Charlotte Watts, World Health Organization (WHO), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Guidelines/Recommendations,
Keywords
Trauma, Health, HIV/AIDS, Identification, Reporting, Investigation, Victims (of trafficking), Trafficked persons, Prosecution, Compensation, Criminal charges, Human trafficking cases, Multi-agency approach, Health care, Social security, Rehabilitation, Assistance,
Summary
This guidebook acknowledges an increase in trafficking of women and girls into forced prostitution and other slavery-like or exploitative conditions. In response to this situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to provide information on trafficking to policy-makers, donors, service providers and the media through this guidebook. It includes information on the complex circumstances of women who have been trafficked, and outlines ten principles designed to foster the ethical and safe conduct of interviews with these women. The recommendations detailed in this document reflect current knowledge about the ethical and safety considerations to be addressed when interviewing women in a trafficking situation and women who have left such a situation. However, trafficking in women is a crime that is constantly changing in its patterns and profiles. The fluid dynamics and the special nature of trafficking and its consequences demand that individuals carrying out interviews regularly update themselves with the most recent information available so that clear plans to protect a woman's well-being are in place before, during and after an interview. In many cases this means that the interview process will take a longer time, demand more background research and preparation time, and require greater sensitivity to individuals and their situations. In addition, substantial consideration needs to be given to the appropriate release of information. By following these recommendations and always prioritising the safety of women, those requesting interview-based information and those conducting interviews can make significant contributions to the public recognition of this serious violation and to the quality of care for trafficked women.
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