The Municipality of Voorschoten is committed to combating human trafficking
The Municipality of Voorschoten is committed to preventing and combating human trafficking. This includes sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, labor exploitation, and forced organ trafficking. It is important that residents who suspect human trafficking report it to the police or the municipality.
Human trafficking includes, among other things, the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or accommodation of a person for the purpose of exploiting that person. Human trafficking is still far too common. Victims often face coercion, violence, and deception. This often makes it very difficult for victims to escape the situation on their own. Furthermore, human trafficking is not always easily recognizable.
Recognize the signs
“Together, we must crack down on the perpetrators and protect the victims,” says Mayor Nadine Stemerdink. “That’s why it’s important for residents to recognize the signs and report them. Do you see a lot of different visitors at a residence or scantily clad women in cars in unusual places? This could indicate illegal prostitution. Or consider massage parlors, nail salons, the construction industry, and temp agencies. Nationally speaking, labor exploitation is relatively common in these sectors, though fortunately, I see many honest and hardworking business owners here in Voorschoten!”
Working together helps
To combat human trafficking and the networks involved, the municipality collaborates with, among others, the police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Labor Inspectorate, The Hague Economic Intervention Team (HEIT), and the Regional Information and Expertise Center (RIEC). Municipal employees are trained to recognize warning signs. Because human trafficking is not limited to municipal boundaries, we also collaborate with other municipalities in the region and the national government.
Report Your Suspicions
It is important that you report any suspected cases of human trafficking. You can do so by contacting the police at 0900-8844 or the municipality at meld.ondermijning@voorschoten.nl. Would you prefer to remain anonymous? File a report with Report Crime Anonymously. Call 0800-7000 or visit www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl. Would you like to know more? Visit www.comensha.nl, the website of CoMensha, the national coordination center against human trafficking.