Human trafficking in Switzerland: “About 90 percent of sex workers are migrants” European Commission gives green light for talks on “Horizon Europe”

The war in Ukraine drew many people to the west. Last year, Switzerland experienced a wave of refugees not seen in decades. Nearly 100,000 people have sought protection in Switzerland, including 75,000 refugees from Ukraine. This year, another 10,000 people from Ukraine applied for S protection status.

Research by ZDF shows that criminals are taking advantage of the fate of Ukrainian women, especially in Germany. Watson spoke to Doro Winkler from the Department of Trafficking in Women and Migration (FIZ) about what the situation looks like in Switzerland.

Whether looking for an apartment or a job: according to ZDF research, Ukrainian women are at high risk of exploitation. How are things in Switzerland?
Doro Winkler: Our experience is that women from Ukraine are less exploited than other refugees. We have found that the safer the escape route and the more legal the migration, the less risk there is of becoming a victim of human trafficking.

Can you explain this in more detail?
The escape of Ukrainian women and children was very different from other escapes: it was organized. After a short time the trains and buses were ready and it was also possible to leave the country by private car. The people were able to leave the country legally and were admitted to the host countries. There were many preventive measures at the Ukrainian borders that warned people about situations of exploitation.

People seeking protection from Ukraine can apply for protection status S directly in Switzerland – and thus have immediate access to the labor market. Does this help in the fight against labor exploitation?
In the context of the war in Ukraine, exactly what we had been asking for for years was possible: safe escape routes and quick residence permits. If refugees find work more quickly, the chance of becoming victims of exploitation decreases. It is a best practice example – at least compared to the flight and accommodation situation of other refugees who take unsafe escape routes.

The escape route across the Mediterranean?
Both the Mediterranean and Balkan routes are dangerous.

Why exactly these two?
Some people are being returned violently and in violation of human rights, and Europe is evading its responsibility. Because there are hardly any legal migration options, they have to get into debt to organize their onward journey. This makes them dependent on people who exploit them sexually or for labor. The situation is particularly precarious for people who end up in Greece. 30 days after refugees have been granted protection status there, they are no longer entitled to a place to sleep and/or food. In order to survive, refugees quickly fall into the hands of exploiters.

Do refugees with safe escape routes also come into contact with human traffickers less often?
Improved conditions in the context of the Ukrainian war largely prevented Ukrainian women from coming into contact with human traffickers who specifically exploit the vulnerable situation of refugees. This is also reflected in the figures: we have received only a few suspected cases from Ukrainian women.

How many cases of exploitation have actually been received?
Last year we received thirteen suspected cases, three of which were confirmed as human trafficking. For the others, it did not involve human trafficking or we could not determine it with certainty because contact was lost or we had too little information.

What were these cases?
Two of the people had fled the war and were being exploited as workers. I cannot say more about it because criminal proceedings are underway. One person came before the war and was exploited; he was threatened with return to the war zone if he did not comply and do the work he was forced to do. For reasons of victim protection I cannot say more about this.

Were the women exploited in Switzerland – or did they flee to Switzerland?
The three cases occurred in Switzerland.

In which fields are women most at risk?
Exploitation occurs in prostitution, but also in private households (domestic help, elderly care), in nail salons, restaurants, food production and agriculture.

Are there factors that increase the chance of exploitation?
There are a number of factors: great vulnerability, lack of work permit, lack of knowledge of rights, no social network, no knowledge of the language. The pressure to make money. The pressure to repay debts.

In Germany, men offer shelter to Ukrainian women – in exchange for sex. Are there also such offers in this country?
We've heard of it, but no solid cases so far.

Which cantons register the most cases of exploitation?
In German-speaking Switzerland, 45 cases were reported in the canton of Zurich last year. This is the highest number, followed by Bern with 14 cases.

Is Zurich the most dangerous Swiss city for female refugees?
Not necessary. The high number does not necessarily mean that more exploitation takes place in Zurich and Bern than in other cantons, but rather that there are specialized law enforcement agencies there. People are watching, actively investigating and there are specialized victim protection organizations such as the FIZ.

Are you assuming there are a large number of unreported cases?
Yes, human trafficking is a crime. If you don't look, you won't find any cases. A proactive approach is required.

Is there a case that particularly struck you?
I was concerned about a case where a woman told me about large debts she had to pay back to a man. This man put her into prostitution, exploited her and threatened to tell her family that she was handing herself over to strange men in Switzerland. We suspected that she was a victim of human trafficking and wanted to house her in a safe environment for a few days. But the responsible canton was initially reluctant and said that the woman preferred to return to her home country after these terrible experiences. Whether someone receives appropriate support varies greatly depending on the canton in which the person is exploited. Based on my many years of work, I know that it is very difficult for those affected to seek support because they fear that the perpetrators will come looking for them and that they will ultimately be exploited again. In any case, it takes a lot of courage to break out of an exploitative situation and talk about it.

According to a FIZ report, sex workers often experience oppression and rejection by the police in everyday life. Doesn't this have a negative impact on trust?
It is important to distinguish between sex work and human trafficking. Such experiences reduce trust in the police and other state institutions. It is estimated that 90 percent of sex workers in Switzerland are migrants. It would help if authorities could focus on working conditions rather than migration status and then identify exploitation.

What happens to people after they confide in someone?
It is important that they have a network with one of the specialized agencies. Many victims come to us through the police and other advice centers. With us, men, women and transgender people receive professional help, including psychosocial advice, financial help, mediation and cooperation with lawyers and doctors, but also support with a hardship application or if you want to return to your home country. Only if we work together can we combat human trafficking. All actors.

What gives hope to those affected?
Convicting the perpetrators is an important step for those affected. But it is just as important that they are given the opportunity to live a free life after exploitation, a life that is in their own control, without being dependent or controlled and oppressed by anyone.

Do victims also become perpetrators?
Yes always. Victims of human trafficking are often forced to commit crimes such as theft, drug smuggling or burglaries. This form of human trafficking is called 'human trafficking for the purpose of committing criminal offences'. Many of those affected are not recognized as potential victims, but are punished for a crime and end up in prison. This requires awareness and training.

Beyond safe escape routes, what will it take to ensure women are better protected from exploitation?
This question would fill an entire article. It would start with the basics of life, which should not be destroyed by wars, the climate crisis or the extraction of raw materials.