Human trafficking hides in plain sight. Can you see it?

The United Action Against Human Trafficking Project is funded by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community and implemented by the Refugee Rights Association and Caritas Cyprus.

The United Action Against Human Trafficking project is a pioneering bicommunal initiative fostering communication and cooperation essential to addressing human trafficking. promotes island-wide awareness and action despite systemic challenges.

The project encourages cross-community collaboration. Through targeted information sessions and creative messaging, it engages vulnerable groups and those likely to encounter victims, educating them on risks, warning signs, and how to respond. These efforts are supported by ongoing, audience-tailored campaigns across social media. The project also offers resources to those assisting trafficking survivors, has an active Anti-Trafficking Network with experts and stakeholders, and conducted a comprehensive assessment study to address the lack of trafficking-related data.

To date, UAAHT has directly engaged over 150 people in person and reached thousands online—helping build a more informed, united, and resilient front against trafficking in Cyprus.

What is Human Trafficking?

  • Human trafficking is a crime committed by individuals or organised networks of traders and traffickers for the purpose of profiting from exploiting a human being.
  • Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can include sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, and other forms of abuse.
  • If you suspect the signs of human trafficking in the Republic of Cyprus, report to the Police Anti-Trafficking Unit hotline: 1497.
  • Exploitation has different forms such as coercion to prostitution, pornography, begging, forced labour or labour in inhumane conditions without pay or with very low  pay (e.g. in the agricultural sector, animal husbandry, factories, homes for the elderly, hotels and restaurants, even in domestic work), coercion to commit offences (e.g. thefts) or serious crimes (e.g. transport of drugs), coercion to marriage, organ removal, illegal adoption, etc.
  • Although often mixed up with human smuggling, trafficking and smuggling have very distinct differences: Human trafficking involves exploitation; victims are coerced and manipulated, often against their will; and the victim’s freedom is restricted, and they are often forced into exploitative situations. Human smuggling, on the other hand, involves the facilitation of a person’s illegal entry into a State, for  financial or other material benefit. Although it is a crime against a State, smugglers can also violate the human rights of those they smuggle, ranging from physical abuse to withholding food and water.
  • According to both Republic of Cyprus and international definitions (including the UN Palermo Protocol and Cyprus Law 60(I)/2014), human trafficking refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means such as:
    • Threat or use of force
    • Abduction
    • Fraud or deception
    • Abuse of power or vulnerability
    • Giving or receiving payments to obtain control over another person

Forms of Human Trafficking

  • Exploitation can take many forms and occurs across various sectors and environments. Common forms include:
    • Sex Trafficking: Coercion into prostitution, pornography, or other forms of sexual abuse. Victims of sex trafficking may be unable to leave the work environment, unable to choose customers, under constant control, experiencing threats/violence, forced to use alcohol/drugs, confiscation of identity documents, debt bondage, and/or receive limited or no payment.
    • Labour Trafficking: Being made to work forcefully under threat and/or without fair compensation. Working in inhumane conditions especially in agriculture, construction, domestic work or hospitality sectors. Victims may suffer from limited or no payment, restriction on movement, identity documents confiscation, and/or threats/violence.
    • Child Trafficking: Forcefully procuring and relocating children, can be for various reasons; organ removal, begging, and/or sexual exploitation.
    • Domestic Servitude: Form of forced labour in which the victim works in a private residence as child/elderly carer or cleaner. Victims of domestic servitude may experience extensive hours of working, unable to leave the house, isolation, and/or limited or no payment.
    • Coerced criminal activity: Victims may be forced to commit crime, fraud, drug transportation, or other crimes against their will. Victims may suffer from debt bondage, threats/violence and/or force to use alcohol/drugs.
    • Forced marriage or early marriage, arranged without the consent of the victim to enter the marriage, which may involve sexual exploitation and/or domestic servitude. Forced marriages are often arranged for financial or material gain of the exploiter. Victims of forced marriage may experience kidnapping, isolation, restrictions on movement and/or threats/violence.
    • Organ removal: Trafficking for the purpose of illegally harvesting organs. Victims may appear to have consented for the removal of their organs but the consent is invalid when deception, fraud or abuse is used.
    • Illegal adoption: Trafficking of children under the guise of adoption is linked to abduction, sale of children, falsification of official documents, using vulnerability of biological parents due to lack of proper consent or financial struggles.
    • Egg Donation and Surrogacy: Form of reproductive exploitation. Victims may be coerced into donating their eggs or being surrogate mothers. Victims may experience underpayment, kept under surveillance, threats/violence, and/or medical treatments without consent,

Exploitation can be visible or hidden, and victims may not always recognize they are being trafficked, especially when psychological manipulation is involved, or there may be a fear of acting against the situation due to vulnerabilities, threats or physical violence.

Recognise the Signs of Human Trafficking

  • Signs of human trafficking:
    • Have you been promised a specific kind of labour but were forced to do something completely different?
    • Were you required to surrender your personal documents (e.g. ID card, passport)?
    • Are you being paid less than the wages agreed for your work? Or not being paid?
    • Have you been promised to travel to another country without expenses covered?
    • Are you being mistreated or psychologically abused?
    • Are you being restrained from moving freely?
    • Have you been coerced to beg, steal or prostitute yourself?
    • Are you or your family being threatened?
  • More signs to look out for:
    • A person offers you work, but does not give you any information about it, e.g. address or name of employer (or gives you very little and misguiding information)
    • A person is forcing you to decide right away whether to accept the job or not
    • A person is offering you work on the basis of an oral agreement or a contract you do not understand
    • A person is offering you free travel and accommodation (e.g. relating to the proposed work)
    • A person is asking you to give them your personal documents under the pretext that they will arrange everything for you (regarding the job offer)

Vulnerable Groups

  • While anyone can become a victim of trafficking, certain groups are more frequently targeted due to social, economic, or legal vulnerabilities. Traffickers exploit these circumstances to gain control over individuals and increase their dependency. Groups often identified as vulnerable include:
    • Migrant workers, particularly those without legal residency or work permits
    • Refugees and asylum seekers, especially unaccompanied minors
    • Women and girls, particularly in contexts of gender-based violence or economic dependence
    • Children and adolescents, who may be exploited for begging, forced labor, or sexual exploitation
    • People experiencing homelessness or poverty, who may be lured by false job offers or promises of shelter
    • People with disabilities, who may face heightened barriers to reporting abuse or escaping exploitation
    • LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly when facing discrimination or family rejection
    • People involved in informal or unregulated employment, such as domestic work, agriculture, construction, or hospitality

It’s important to note that being part of a vulnerable group does not mean someone will be trafficked, but rather that traffickers often target individuals who have limited access to protection, support systems, or legal remedies.

Indicators of Human Trafficking

  • Debt Bondage: While searching for a new beginning and opportunity, some agencies or individuals may offer to cover your accommodation, travel and/or other necessary expenses upfront. The terms may seem like a simple example and manageable loan. However, this situation can lead to debt bondage, where you are forced to repay these expenses with unreasonable interest rates and little or no salary. The debt continues to increase over time. Be aware of this method of trafficking and do not fall victim to a debt that traps you into an endless cycle where you must work constantly to pay off an impossible debt.
  • False Promises: Traffickers deceive people by providing false information about the country to which they are travelling or the university or employer they are to encounter. Without accurate information, you may be faced with circumstances that you did not plan for and cannot manage. Worse, the job or school you have signed up for may not exist or be a scam. Beware of ‘false promises’ when reviewing job offers or academic programs. Thoroughly investigate and verify it using credible sources BEFORE agreeing to anything.
  • Confiscation of Identity Documents: Traffickers may confiscate your passport and/or other identity documents to limit your freedom of movement or prevent your escape from forced work. They may suggest it is for your protection; it is not. Your identity documents belong only to you. Be aware of ‘confiscation of identity documents’ and do not hand over your passport to anyone.
  • Limited or no social interaction: Traffickers may limit or prevent social interaction with family members or the public in general. Access to telephone or any other communication tools can be prevented. This aims to prevent seeking support and isolating people to keep working under poor conditions. Be aware of this indicator.
  • Unable to leave work environment: Traffickers may limit or prevent leaving the work environment. This can be done by locking the doors if you are indoors or keeping the work environment far from the city or local places to isolate the victim. By this, it is aimed to prevent seeking support and/or leaving the workspace
  • Poor Living Conditions: Safe and decent living conditions are a basic expectation in any employment situation. However, in trafficking cases, individuals are often kept in overcrowded, poorly maintained, or unsanitary spaces. Access to clean water, food, or privacy may be limited. While some jobs may offer housing as part of the arrangement, it’s important to assess the conditions. Poor living environments used to restrict freedom or create dependency can be part of a larger system of control.
  • Suffer injuries: In dangerous or abusive environments, injuries may occur due to physical violence or unsafe working conditions. These injuries are often left untreated, or individuals are discouraged from seeking medical attention. If someone is repeatedly hurt at work, or afraid to speak up about injuries, that could be a sign of mistreatment. Everyone has the right to safety and health, regardless of their job or situation.
  • Violence and threats against themselves or against their loved ones: Threats, whether direct or subtle, are used to maintain control. This may include threats of harm to the individual or their family members. These tactics aim to create fear and compliance, making it harder for someone to seek help or leave the situation. If someone is using threats to control your actions or decisions, it’s important to recognize that this behavior is not acceptable and may be part of a trafficking situation.
  • Limited or no access to medical care: Access to healthcare is a fundamental right. In trafficking situations, individuals may be denied medical treatment, even when sick or injured. This is often done to avoid drawing attention or to reinforce control. If medical needs are being ignored or you are unable to get help when needed, it’s a warning sign that something is not right in the environment.
  • Receive little or no payment: Fair compensation for work is a basic standard. In cases of trafficking, individuals may not receive any pay at all, or only a fraction of what was promised. Sometimes, deductions are made for supposed debts or living costs, leaving them with nothing. Being underpaid or unpaid, especially when combined with poor conditions and restrictions on freedom, is a key sign of labor exploitation.
  • Long hours of work: Unreasonable working hours, especially without breaks or days off, are often part of exploitative labor practices. Being consistently overworked without rest can affect your health, safety, and wellbeing. While hard work is common in many fields, there is a clear line between demanding work and exploitation. If your schedule is excessive and you have no control over it, it’s worth examining the bigger picture.
  • These indicators encompass, but are not limited to, the points outlined above. For additional insight and comprehensive guidance, please consult the “UNODC Human Trafficking Indicators” available in the “Resources” section.

Human Trafficking in Cyprus: What You Should Know

  • Human trafficking is not just a global issue—it also affects people within Europe, including Cyprus. As university students, understanding how trafficking works and how Cyprus is responding empowers you to recognize warning signs, support awareness efforts, and help protect vulnerable individuals.
  • Legal Framework: Law 60(I)/2014
    • Cyprus has specific legislation to address human trafficking. Law 60(I)/2014 criminalizes all forms of trafficking, including:
    • Sexual exploitation
    • Labor exploitation
    • Forced begging
    • Organ trafficking
    • Exploitation through forced criminal activity
    • Trafficking is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. More importantly, the law ensures victim-centered protections are in place throughout the legal and recovery process.
  • Victim/Survivor Rights in Cyprus
    • Any person identified as a victim of trafficking in Cyprus is entitled to a range of legal and social protections, including:
    • A minimum one-month reflection period to recover and make decisions free of pressure
    • Access to medical care, including urgent and ongoing treatment
    • Protection from deportation, especially for non-Cypriot nationals during investigation or recovery
    • Free legal aid for both criminal and civil matters
    • The right to seek compensation from traffickers through legal channels
    • These rights are available regardless of a person’s immigration status or cooperation with law enforcement.

Institutional Support and Response Mechanisms

  • Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (OCTHB)
    • This specialized unit within the Cyprus Police is responsible for:
    • Investigating trafficking cases
    • Identifying and interviewing potential victims
    • Coordinating with other agencies to ensure a rapid and victim-sensitive response
    • Police officers in this unit are specially trained to handle these complex and sensitive cases.
  • Social Welfare Services (SWS)
    • Once a person is identified as a potential or confirmed victim, the Social Welfare Services provide:
    • Access to government shelters or safe housing
    • Psychological counselling and social support
    • Guidance for reintegration, employment, or voluntary return
    • Assistance with basic needs and applications for social benefits
    • Support is designed to be long-term, trauma-informed, and individualized.
  • National Strategy and Referral Mechanism (2023–2026)
    • Cyprus has adopted a National Strategy against Trafficking in Human Beings for 2023–2026. This strategy aims to:
    • Strengthen prevention through awareness campaigns and education
    • Improve the identification of victims across all sectors
    • Enhance interagency cooperation and response times
    • Provide targeted training for professionals in key fields such as health, education, law enforcement, and labor inspection
    • At the operational level, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) ensures that all agencies involved in a trafficking case follow a clear, standardized process. It facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, social services, NGOs, and healthcare providers, so that victims receive prompt and comprehensive support.
  • The Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group (MCG)
    • The MCG is a national body that brings together representatives from:
    • Government ministries
    • Law enforcement agencies
    • Civil society organizations
    • International partners and observers
    • It is responsible for overseeing the national anti-trafficking response, evaluating progress, reviewing case trends, and recommending policy improvements. The group plays a key role in ensuring Cyprus’s efforts remain effective and accountable.

What You Can Do

Resources

Sources from the Republic of Cyprus

Other Resources and Reports

This publication was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Refugee Rights Association and Caritas Cyprus and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.