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Safety and restoration of rights

Survivors of trafficking in human beings

Legal aid includes representation of interests in court and procedural documents concerning protection of a survivor’s rights.

Eligibility and application procedure

What you need to know

Trafficking may involve labour or sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminal activity, removal of organs or other forms of exploitation. The survivor is not to blame for what happened.

Safety and confidentiality come first

Tell the lawyer if you or a relative is in immediate danger. Do not inform a suspected exploiter about seeking help if that could increase the risk.

How legal aid can help

01

Understand your rights

Receive a confidential consultation and a clear explanation of the available procedures.

02

Prepare documents

Get help with applications, complaints, claims, appeals and other procedural documents.

03

Protect your interests

Where provided by law, a lawyer may defend you or represent your interests in court and before public authorities.

Matters you can raise

Survivor status

Applying for official status and appealing a refusal.

Protection and safety

Contact with authorised bodies and access to protective measures.

Compensation

Claims concerning material or non-pecuniary harm where provided by law.

Employment and social rights

Unpaid work, documents, benefits and restoration of other violated rights.

How to start

1

Choose a safe contact channel

Call, write online or visit a legal aid bureau. You may apply where you actually live.

2

Explain what happened

Tell the lawyer what decision or action you need to challenge and what documents you currently have.

3

Confirm the legal ground

The lawyer will check eligibility, explain the scope of services and identify any supporting documents.

Do not delay your first consultation because documents are missing. Bring what you have, and tell the lawyer if contacting you by telephone or message could create a safety risk.

Legal basis

The right to free secondary legal aid and its scope are defined by Article 14 and other provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Free Legal Aid”.

View the law