Criminal exploitation occurs in various forms in Drenthe. It is about forcing criminal activities, such as transporting drugs. For Drenthe municipalities it appears to be difficult to gain insight into that form of human trafficking, among other things because few reports are being received. Other signals are also less perceived by digitization. For example, money transactions are ‘easier, faster and more anonymous’.
Despite those difficulties, municipalities have been around the table to coordinate policy, resulting in the plan Drenthe against human trafficking. It states what role a municipality has, but also what the police, the judiciary and the Drenthe Care and Safety House (ZVHD) do.
The new policy for municipalities of Drenthe comes three years after the deadline. Already in 2022 there should have been a policy. According to municipalities, the reason for the delay is a lack of capacity. The delay may have ensured that signals from human trafficking have not been picked up properly in recent years.
Because victims often do not dare to report themselves, it is important that others see that there is human trafficking. Civil servants are trained in this and municipalities ensure that reports are better processed.
Municipalities appoint a key figure that streamlines that process and ensures that signals also end up with the police, OM and the Labor Inspectorate. The larger Drenthe picture is monitored at the ZVHD.
To be able to maintain better, a Drenthe control team is considered, consisting of specialists in the field of human trafficking who can be used anywhere in the province.
If it gets so far that victims are taken from the criminal circuit, there is another challenge that needs to be solved. “In Drenthe there is a shortage of (crisis) reception spots for victims. If Drenthe municipalities we have the ambition to expand this number.”