Trafficked persons often sustain physical injuries from violent treatment by perpetrators, lack of healthcare or malnutrition, as well as psychological damage, such as trauma. Many victims of human trafficking and labour exploitation have some or often all of the wages for their work withheld (whether in the sex industry or in other fields). Meanwhile, perpetrators derive vast profits from the activities trafficked persons perform for them.
“Compensation” refers to financial redress for any damages ensuing from incurred or suffered loss. Financial redress may take the form of an indemnity (Schadensersatz), of damages for pain and injury (Schmerzensgeld) or compensation for unpaid wages. As trafficked persons suffer great harm, be it material or immaterial, it is important to provide them with adequate legal remedies so that they can effectively enforce their claim not just to wages, but also to appropriate compensation. Although Germany does provide a legal basis for compensation and the payment of unpaid wages, a whole series of reasons may prevent trafficked persons from enforcing their rights in practice. These are addressed in the feasibility study "Human Trafficking in Germany. Strengthening Victim's Human Rights", from the German Institute for Human Rights (Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte, DIMR) and the EVZ Foundation, written by Dr. Petra Follmar-Otto and Heike Rabe, published in September 2009. The study also came to the conclusion that despite the existing legal framework, only a few trafficked persons actually managed to enforce their rights.
To improve the situation of trafficked persons, the German Institute for Human Rights is carrying out the project, “Forced labour today – Empowering trafficked persons” in collaboration with the EVZ Foundation. In place since June 2009, it is planned for an initial period of three years. The project aims to empower trafficked persons, to encourage them to assert their rights independently and to support them (also financially) while they enforce their claims.