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Residence and immigration

Victims of human trafficking in destination countries may have illegal status on account of: illegal entry, taking up unauthorized employment; illegal activities such as prostitution, begging, stealing (in the case of trafficked children for example), or expiry of a residence permit. This illegal status plays into the hands of human traffickers in different ways. First, it makes those affected easy targets for extortion and reduces their possible means of escape from their situation. Second, deportation as a result of illegal residence means that, in the event of criminal prosecution, no witnesses against the perpetrators are available. Non-punishment provisions have been recommended to apply to victims for these very reasons (please see section: Liability for Trafficking) Finally, the illegal status of those affected often means that access to victim protection and support schemes is blocked and compensation claims are not possible. (NRM Handbook, p 88)