Supporting Women Survivors of Trafficking

Project Report | Jul 7, 2026
Restoring Safety and Hope for Survivors of Traffic

By Mariana Fragkou | Coordinator: Programs, Comms & Fundraising

Over the past months, the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) has continued to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed support to refugee and migrant women who have experienced human trafficking and gender-based violence. Through legal assistance, psychosocial support, referrals to specialized services, and close cooperation with protection actors, we help survivors rebuild their lives while navigating complex legal and social systems.

One recent case illustrates the importance of early identification and coordinated intervention. A trafficking survivor was identified while being held in administrative detention. Through a multidisciplinary response involving legal and social support, our team successfully secured the lifting of the individual's detention, supported the submission of a new asylum application based on previously undisclosed trafficking experiences, and helped restore access to international protection.

Today, this survivor is living and working legally in Greece while awaiting the examination of the asylum claim. Most importantly, the person has reached a point where they feel safe enough to speak about the exploitation they endured and begin rebuilding their life with dignity and hope. This journey highlights how timely intervention, trust, and individualized support can fundamentally change the trajectory of a survivor's life.

Beyond individual cases, GCR continues to strengthen its efforts to identify potential trafficking survivors at an early stage, facilitate referrals to appropriate protection mechanisms, and ensure that survivors can effectively access their rights. Close collaboration among legal professionals, social workers, psychologists and external stakeholders remains essential to providing a coordinated and survivor-centred response.

Every trafficking case reminds us that behind legal procedures and case files is a person whose safety, dignity and future depend on timely protection and compassionate support.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, survivors are not left to face these challenges alone.

Together, we are helping them regain safety, restore their rights, and move forward toward a life free from exploitation.

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Mar 17, 2026
Strengthening Protection for Trafficking Survivors

By Marianna Fragkou | Coordinator: Programs, Comms & Fundraising

Over the past months, the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) has continued to provide holistic, trauma-informed support to refugee and migrant women who have experienced gender-based violence and human trafficking. Through legal aid, psychosocial support, and referrals to safe accommodation and specialized services, the project ensures that survivors are not left to navigate complex systems alone. Many of the women supported face multiple and intersecting challenges, including trauma, legal uncertainty, and social isolation, making sustained, individualized support essential for their recovery and protection.

During this period, GCR further strengthened its response through its participation in the REACHing European initiative, which aims to improve the identification and protection of trafficking survivors within asylum systems. Through this collaboration, efforts have focused on enhancing coordination among frontline actors, supporting professionals working in reception and integration settings, and improving early identification of potential victims. Mobile expertise and knowledge-sharing mechanisms are being developed to ensure that survivors can be identified earlier and referred more effectively to appropriate support services.

At the same time, particular emphasis has been placed on systematically identifying and recording trafficking cases, through the National Referral Mechanism. Strengthening documentation and reporting procedures is a critical step in ensuring that survivors are formally recognized, protected, and able to access their rights. These efforts not only support individual cases, but also contribute to addressing gaps in protection systems and improving the overall response to trafficking.

Through all activities, the project continues to prioritize a survivor-centered approach that promotes dignity, safety, and empowerment.

Supporting this work means ensuring that women who have experienced exploitation and violence are not left invisible, but are given the opportunity to access protection, rebuild their lives, and move forward with hope.

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