July 30 – World Day Against Human Trafficking

For several years now, the number of victims of this form of exploitation from Latin American countries, e.g. Colombia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Mexico, has been steadily growing in Poland (statistical data collected by the Ministry of Interior and Administration show that in 2022 the increase in identified victims of human trafficking from South America amounted to 476 % compared to 2021),
recruited by dishonest local employment agencies using the Internet and social media.
Growing uncertainty in the labor market and potentially a larger number of people seeking immediate employment increase the risk that this situation will be exploited by criminal groups recruiting people for forced labor. This risk is particularly significant when individuals seek employment abroad. Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, supply, transfer,
The keeping or receiving of a person….

• for the purpose of exploitation, even with his/her consent, in particular in prostitution, pornography or other forms of sexual exploitation, in forced labour or services, in begging, in slavery or other forms of exploitation degrading human dignity or in order to obtain cells, tissues or organs in violation of the provisions of the Act.
  If the perpetrator’s conduct concerns a minor, it constitutes human trafficking, even if the methods or means listed in points 1-6 were not used.
  

Pursuant to Article 189a of the Penal Code, the crime of human trafficking in Poland is punishable by imprisonment from 3 to 20 years. Due to the high degree of social harm of the act, preparation to commit this crime is also punishable (an act punishable by imprisonment from 3 months to 5 years).

National Intervention and Consultation Center for Victims of Human Trafficking

tel. +48 22 628 01 20, +48 605 687 750, e-mail: kcik@strada.org.pl

Helpline for victims and witnesses of human trafficking

+ 48 22 628 01 20 or + 48 22 628 99 99