Governments should ensure that:
- There is sufficient access to (free and specialized) legal aid throughout proceedings removing barriers based on means test, legality of residence and reasonable chance of case success.
- Support specialization of legal professionals and the establishment, nationally and internationally, or a network of specialized lawyers to assist and represent trafficked persons and victims of related crimes in proceedings to claim compensation.
- Consider state advance payment of compensation (awarded in criminal proceedings) as a tool to improve victims’ access to an effective remedy.
- Remove existing barriers concerning eligibility criteria for victims’ access to State compensation funds for victims of violent crime in line with the obligations under the European Anti-Trafficking Convention (Article 15.3) and the EU Trafficking Directive (Article 17).