State funded social rehabilitation services for victims of trafficking in human beings are available to all persons who are recognised as victims of trafficking in human beings regardless the age or sex of a person. The aim of the social rehabilitation is to prevent or to reduce the negative social consequences caused by trafficking.
Procedures by which victims of trafficking in human beings receive the State funded social rehabilitation services are set in the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of October 31, 2006 No.889 „Regulations on procedures by which victims of trafficking in human beings receive social rehabilitation services and the criteria for the recognition of a person as a victim of trafficking in human beings" and the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of June 3, 2003 No.291 „Requirements for social service providers".
State funded social rehabilitation services include a set of social services:
- a course of social rehabilitation (individual consultations of a social worker, psychologist, medical personal, individual consultations on legal matters) up to 180 days,
- five consultations of a social service provider for the family members of children victims of trafficking in human beings,
- professional psychosocial support (individual consultations of a social worker and psychologist; individual consultations on legal matters) and other services such as translation, preparation of legal documents and legal representation in court if a victim participates in a criminal case as either a victim or a witness,
- five individual consultations of a social service provider after a course of social rehabilitation is completed for those victims who don't receive professional psychosocial support in terms of participating in a criminal case as either a victim or witness,
- organising the return (including accompaniment) of a victim or a person who might potentially be recognized as a victim (hereinafter - a potential victim) and children accompanied by a victim or a potential victim.
In order to receive the services a person or its legal representative shall submit a written application and one of the following documents:
- a copy of a decision by the performer of criminal procedures by which a person is recognised as a victim of trafficking in human beings,
- a statement of a law enforcement agency by which a person is recognised as a victim of trafficking in human beings,
- a protocol of a social service provider by which a person is recognised as a victim of trafficking in human beings,
- a copy of a statement of a foreign law enforcement agency by which a person is recognised as a victim of trafficking in human beings or that confirms any other activity that might serve as a ground for a person to be recognised as a victim of trafficking in human beings, translated into Latvian.
The social service provider sends an application and documents attached to the Social Integration State Agency:
- within three working days if a person is entitled to receive State funded social rehabilitation services,
- within ten working days if a person is not entitled to receive State funded social rehabilitation services.
The Social Integration State Agency within three working days takes one of the following decisions:
- a decision regarding provision of services,
- a decision regarding inclusion in the queue of the receivers of services,
- a decision regarding refusal to provide services.
The provision of the services is suspended up to one month if a person:
- needs a treatment in a medical treatment institution due to the condition of health,
- is put in a social care and social rehabilitation institution funded by the State or municipality or in an investigating institution or in a place of imprisonment for minors.
Contact information:
The State Social Integration Agency
Dubultu prospekts 71, Jūrmala, LV-2015
http://siva.gov.lv/functions.html, siva@siva.gov.lv
„Shelter „Safe House""
Lāčplēša iela 29-3, Rīga, LV-1011
http://www.patverums-dm.lv/en/, drosa.maja@apollo.lv
Association "Resource Centre for Women MARTA"
49 Matisa Street 3,
Riga, LV - 1009
e-mail: centrs@marta.lv
Telephone: +371 67378539