COMP.ACT – European Action for Compensation for Trafficked Persons

In order to improve compensation of trafficked persons a network called COMP.ACT EUROPE – European Action for Compensation for Trafficked Persons was established in 2009.

COMP.ACT EUROPE is on the one hand a network, and on the other hand a three-year, Europe-wide project coordinated by La Strada International and Anti-Slavery International concerning compensation of trafficked persons.

The network COMP.ACT EUROPE consists of 14 European countries. All countries established national working groups in order to implement specific measures.
Part of the project is a steering committee, consisting of LEFÖ-IBF (Austria) La Strada Czech Republic and KOK, the German NGO network against Trafficking in Human Beings. In addition an advisory board was established, which consists of: OSCE/ODIHR (PL), CCME – Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (Belgium), PICUM – the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (Belgium), ITUC- International Trade Union Federation (Belgium).

The activities of the network encompass:
– Design methodology for comparable research analysis
– Development of European guidance for professionals on seeking compensation for trafficked persons
– Meetings with decision makers on European level in order to increase the awarness of this topic
– Europea-wide campaign regarding the right to compensation
– Organisation of a conference on compensation

Part of the Austrian working group is the Ludwig Boltzmann Insitute of Fundamental and Human Rights. Activities in Austria will include:
– Trainings for experts
– Austrian guidance for professionals on seeking compensation for trafficked persons and recommendations.

A Study on Austria’s situation on compensation for trafficked persons has been conducted in 2010 and published in 2011 at the OEGB Publishing House (in German).