From harm to safety: Improving the protection of victims of trafficking (VoTs) in Serbia

Country: Serbia

Geographic Focus:

Seven targeted municipalities—Vranje, Subotica, Novi Sad, Niš, Sremska Mitrovica, Kragujevac, and Kraljevo—where local anti-trafficking networks were being strengthened.

Project Duration: February 2018 (duration 30 months)

Project Donor(s): US Government

Partner(s):

Atina

Material(s):

The project titled “From Harm to Safety: Improving the Protection of Victims of Trafficking (VoTs) in Serbia,” led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with the Serbian NGO Atina, aimed to strengthen the identification, protection, and recovery of trafficking victims—particularly among refugees and migrants—over a 30-month period. By combining IRC’s global expertise with Atina’s local leadership, the project sought to create sustainable, systemic change in Serbia’s response to human trafficking, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive timely, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive support.

Objectives

Improve identification and support for VoTs, including refugees and migrants, through client-centered care.
Enhance age- and gender-appropriate services, especially for child victims, including unaccompanied and separated children.
Strengthen institutional frameworks, including the development of national SOPs and revision of Serbia’s anti-trafficking strategy and action plan.

Outcomes

Pillar 1 – Direct Support to Victims
- 168 victims of trafficking (VoTs) – including 54 children and 55 refugees/migrants – received comprehensive, client-centered care such as medical and psychosocial support, shelter, case management, economic empowerment, and reintegration services.
- 100% of identified victims were referred to appropriate services.
- Awareness workshops on trafficking, gender-based violence, and human rights reached 500 migrants women and girls in five Serbian asylum centers.
- Services were delivered through Atina’s Temporary House, Reintegration Center, and Mobile Teams, offering creative, educational, and therapeutic activities (language, IT, arts, yoga, human rights, etc.).
- 99% of clients expressed satisfaction and improved well-being.
Pillar 2 – Capacity Building of Service Providers and Authorities
- 439 professionals (police, judges, social workers, etc.) received specialized training on identification, child victim care, coordination, and community responses.
- This led to a 50% increase in identified potential victims and 83% of participants showed improved knowledge.
- Training satisfaction averaged 8/5.
Pillar 3 – Institutional Strengthening
- Supported the revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and development of local referral pathways.
- Developed and adopted a Two-Year Action Plan (2019–2020) and a Monitoring and Reporting Tool for implementation.
- Produced information leaflets for professionals and victims, officially adopted by the Ministry of Interior for nationwide police use.