Civil proceedings

In cases that criminal prosecution fails, victims can pursue a civil lawsuit. This can however be an expensive, time-consuming, and resource-intensive undertaking.

Like criminal proceeding, civil proceedings require extensive evidence gathering, identification of witnesses, court testimony, which is subject to cross-examination, and limited or no witness protection from the defendant.

Even if a successful judgement is obtained against the trafficker, enforcement of the award remains often an obstacle.

Moreover the costs for the court case and enforcing the award are to be paid by the victim and the victim does not receive free legal aid. As such, at present a civil lawsuit is often not a realistic option for a trafficked person to seek compensation.