The crime of human trafficking, identification of victims and problems in access to support services for foreign victims

Migration, which has become one of the most crucial issues of our time, is gaining momentum globally due to various developments. With an estimated 281 million people being migrants today, the reasons for individuals to migrate vary based on their geographical and national contexts. These challenging journeys undertaken with the desire for a better life can sometimes make individuals more vulnerable, leading to traumatic situations. The crime of human trafficking, where the most severe violations of human rights occur, has become more prominent with the increase in migration movements. In the present day, human trafficking, termed as "modern slavery," is not solely related to migration, but migration is a part of the crime of human trafficking. The main objective of this thesis is to contribute to conceptual discussions on the crime of human trafficking within the literature and to identify issues in accessing victim support services through the experiences of victims. The aim is to develop recommendations for more effective and efficient implementation of these services. The research focuses on establishing the relationship between migration and the crime of human trafficking by selecting individuals from migrant groups who have experienced human trafficking and have come to our country from different regions. This qualitative research utilized semi-structured interview forms to conduct in-depth interviews with a total of 20 foreign national human trafficking victims residing in the Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims and in Eskişehir. Some interviewees benefited from victim support services, while others were selected from individuals who chose not to access these services. The data obtained from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed by the researcher. This study, unique in its field, addresses the prevention of human rights violations and the importance of combating the crime of human trafficking for public health and safety. The process of identifying victims, their access to support services, and the challenges they face during this process were explored.