Seeking Sanctuary in Greece

Human trafficking is the movement or recruitment of people, either through deception, coercion or force for the purpose of exploitation. Traffickers often profit financially from exploiting people. Refugees and Asylum Seekers can be targeted for exploitative purposes in Greece.

Organ traffickers sometimes forcibly remove organs without consent or through coercion. This is illegal and dangerous. It could cost you your life.

There are many ways people might be lured and trapped into exploitation, including:  

Refugees and asylum seekers are often offered help with travel and shelter in exchange for payment later. Don’t agree unless you know all the details. This is a method traffickers use to control and exploit people and an example of debt bondage.

It is very important that whatever choice you make, you ensure you put your safety as a top priority. 

Traffickers have many faces. They can be any age, gender or nationality.

Survivors often say they were trafficked by partners, spouses, friends, even family members.

• Traffickers are usually motivated by financial gain and are masters in the art of deception.
• They know how to gain trust and make you feel special.
• They often target people with offers of friendship or help with travel or finding work.
• They may buy you gifts, give you money or offer you drugs or alcohol.

Unfortunately, traffickers prey upon people in a vulnerable situation. When trust is established, the trafficker’s kind behaviour may change, and they become controlling, even violent.  Their aim was to lure you in, only to control and exploit you. They may convince you that the situation, even the abuse, is normal.

Traffickers often force people into doing things they don’t want to do. They will pressure and force people to stay in the situation using threats and intimidation.

The trafficker may convince you the police are on their side. This is a lie. Trafficking is illegal in Greece.

Other control methods include:

If you have found yourself in a situation you want to escape, there are organisations that can help you.

Smuggling and trafficking both involve the movement of people, but there are differences.

Smuggling is a service someone requests, despite the danger, for illegal entry into a country. Once the journey and payments are complete, the exchange ends. 

Trafficking involves either forcing a person to travel, or making false promises of jobs or safety at the end of that journey. Exploitation can occur at the final destination and/or during the journey.

Smuggling and trafficking can overlap with gangs working together as a criminal network

• The smuggler may be in contact with traffickers and provide information about new people arriving.
• The smuggler may even suggest a ‘trusted contact’ for the person to call on arrival. This ‘trusted contact’ might be a trafficker, waiting to exploit you.

Always remember, be careful of who you  trust. Your safety is very important. If you have been made an offer that seems suspicious, trust your instinct and leave the situation quickly.

When at a distance from the situation, inform someone you trust. There are details of organisations you can contact at the bottom of this web page.

In Greece there are many organisations that provide support to Refugees, Asylum Seekers and specialist services that support people under 18.

These support organisations work independently from the police or government. They put the wellbeing and safety of the people they support above all else.

People might tell you that you cannot to trust these organisations – this is untrue. These organisations exist to help you.

These organisations are often referred to by various titles, including; Non-government organisations (NGOs), Not for profit organisations or charities.

These organisations provide a range of services, including:

If you under 18 and currently alone in Greece, or experiencing homelessness, there is support available to you.

Guardianship Network  

• A Guardian is a person of reference for unaccompanied minors who they can rely on for help.

• The Guardianship Network acts in the following areas:Athens, Thessaloniki, Kalamata, Orestiada, Lesvos, Chios, Samos.

• It supports minors who are detained or staying in accommodation centers, in open or closed camps.

The members of the Guardianship Network act for the benefit of minors on issues relating to:

• asylum procedures
• family reunification procedures
• communication with the minors’ family members to determine their best interests
• healthcare
• education
• psychosocial support

In addition to the above, the Guardianship Network members:

• develop meaningful and substantial relationships with minors
• visit museums and places for children’s activities
• participate in theatrical games and cooking classes
• create strong friendships with minors-beneficiaries of the project
• take actions to develop the minors’ talents

If you are under 18, alone and seek help, you can contact Metadrasi to access the support listed above.

Metadrasi contact details:

WhatsApp and Viber: +306908091433

E-mail address: [email protected]