Supporting Women Survivors of Trafficking

Project Report | Nov 4, 2026
Reaching Migrant Women and Mothers

By Mariana Fragkou | Programs, Comms and Fundraising Coordinator

Violence against women is not always visible. Sometimes it takes the form of human trafficking, exploitation and the systematic deprivation of freedom, dignity and choice. For women seeking safety and protection, particularly those raising children without adequate support, access to information and essential assistance can be a crucial first step towards rebuilding their lives.

Recently, our team reached women, including single mothers with limited or no support networks, residing at the Controlled Access Facility for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Seekers in Pyrgos, Greece.

Through online information and intervention sessions, the team reached 59 female asylum seekers, several of whom had experienced severe forms of violence, including rape. The sessions also led to the identification of two potential victims of human trafficking for the purpose of domestic servitude in Libya, highlighting the importance of outreach and accessible, specialised support in identifying women at risk and connecting them with protection services.

Alongside information and specialised assistance, meeting women's immediate needs was equally important. Thanks to your support, GCR was able to provide personal hygiene kits containing essential items for mothers and their babies. For women facing uncertainty, isolation and difficult living conditions, such practical assistance can make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives, helping them care for themselves and their children with greater dignity.

This intervention illustrates how different forms of support – from access to information and the identification of trafficking risks to the provision of basic necessities – work together to help women regain a sense of safety, dignity and control over their lives.

Support us so that we can do more!

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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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