Where to seek help and what help can people get?

WHERE TO SEEK HELP?

A person who may have been a victim of trafficking in human beings may obtain assistance from the National Intervention and Consultation Centre for Victims of Human Trafficking (KCIK).

KCIK is currently managed by two non-governmental organizations (La Strada Foundation and Po-Moc Association ), its activities are financed from the state budget.

The assistance provided is free of charge.

KCIK provides assistance to people recognized as victims of trafficking in human beings by the Police, Border Guard, the Public Prosecutor's Office or KCIK employees.

KCIK also provides assistance to all those who, in the opinion of KCIK experts, are victims of trafficking in human beings and who have not established or do not want to establish contact with the Police, Border Guard or the Public Prosecutor's Office.

WHAT HELP CAN PEOPLE GET?

Victim / witness of human trafficking support and protection program

The program of support and protection for a victim / witness of trafficking in human beings provides for assistance to persons recognized as victims of trafficking in human beings by law enforcement agencies (Police, Border Guard) or the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Participation in the program requires the victim to sever all contacts with the perpetrators and decide to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. This decision is related to the submission of a notification of a crime. People who have not yet decided whether they want to testify can take advantage of the so-called “reflection time”, but no longer than 3 months (or 4 months in the case of minors). During this period, they will also be able to benefit from assistance.

The program covers people who use the “reflection time” (up to 3 months), i.e. are covered by the KCIK assistance, or cooperate with law enforcement authorities until the end of the procedural activities with their participation.

Persons covered by the Program may legalize their stay in Poland (if they are staying illegally)

During the three-month “reflection period” and during procedural activities, the program beneficiaries also receive assistance in the form of:

• safe accommodation,
• food,
• medical care,
• psychological support,
• legal consultations,
• help of an interpreter,
• transport within the country,
• assistance of an organization employee in contacts with law enforcement agencies and the judiciary while giving testimony and participating in a court trial.

The termination of assistance under the program takes place upon completion of procedural activities with the participation of the injured party.

Aid for victims recognized by KCIK employees as potential victims of trafficking in human beings, whose status has never been formally confirmed by the Police, Border Guard or the Prosecutor's Office

A person who does not want to cooperate with law enforcement authorities, but in the opinion of KCIK employees is a victim of trafficking in human beings, may also get help. The person will be provided with safe accommodation, food, medical care, psychological support, legal consultations, and the help of an interpreter.

Note! In such a situation, however, it is not possible to legalize their stay in Poland, as long as the person is staying in the country illegally.