« They talk about them like consumer goods »

« Everywhere you find a woman in a vulnerable position, you also find a person who is ready to utilize her, » says Jenný Kristín Valberg, Teymans Director Bjarkarhlíð, centers for victims of violence, in a conversation with mbl.is on human trafficking in this country.

She says it is important that the community realized that the reason why prostitution takes place in Iceland is the demand of Icelandic as well as foreign men and emphasizes that « it can be anyone ».

Asked how it is known where the demand comes from, Jenny says that websites that advertise prostitution services in Iceland show great demand from Icelandic as well as foreign men. There, the men tell of women they have paid for prostitution, « and these are usually not self -employed women but some that others have intermediary. »

« They talk about them like consumer goods, just like commenters at a hamburger place in Iceland. »

Bjarkarhlíð’s annual report on human trafficking

Bjarkarhlíð published for the first time An annual report on human trafficking Last week, stating that last year Bjarkarhlíð has reached 55 trafficking issues. Of these, 54% were men, 44% were women and 2%. Of these issues, 80% were associated with the worker and 11% were prostitutes.

It is worth mentioning that statistics of 2024 are colored by a large human trafficking case that occurred in March. The case has been called the big labor issue, which includes both perpetrators and offenders from Vietnam. Other trafficking perpetrators in Iceland in 2024 were from Iceland, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Social isolation a major risk factor

According to Jenny, the Internet is the platform that perpetrators are mainly involved in the victims and they often start to build trust there. This can be through various programs but also through video games. It is extremely important for relatives and parents to keep a close eye on their relationship with their loved ones online.

« It is easier to achieve the confidence of those who need to rely differently on others, » says Jenny, so social isolation and consumption are very large risk factors. A person who experiences loneliness, has a developmental impairment, is very young or does not have a good hinterland, therefore in a more sensitive position.

« This is similar to violence in close relationships because the perpetrator does not take action until he is pretty much sure he has created a trust or relationship that holds the victim, » says Jenny.

Police’s trafficking department does not have

Bjarkarhlíð’s report criticizes that the police do not have time to deal with human trafficking, individual cases take too long and others do not get enough quickly.

Jenny clearly states that the police human trafficking department simply does not have a lot and need more hands to handle all matters to be done.

« It is not because they do not want to do this well. These are complex issues and time -consuming and often a lot of data that needs to go through.

She adds that it must be possible to ensure that when the victim is ready to speak, someone is available to accept the matter, « and it is not now ».

Relationships of disability and trafficking

« Everywhere you find a woman in a vulnerable position, you also find a person who is ready to exploit her, » says Jenny.

It has occurred to disabled women to have entered Bjarkarhlíð after violence and after their account of what it was, it has been found that it was a human trafficking and that the perpetrator had been using their trust or impairment to abuse them sexually or otherwise utilize them.

Bjarkarhlíð’s report states that the European Security and Cooperation Agency had discussed the relationship between disability and human trafficking and said four aspects carry special risks: « Being dependent on caregivers, limited access to information or resources, communication difficulties or something that prevents their own

Therefore, Bjarkarhlíð’s staff was particularly concerned that women with disabilities are in
Great danger to human trafficking. Percentage of people with disabilities among Bjarkarhlíð’s service recipients
Do not reflect the proportion of people with disabilities in the community and can therefore assume that that group is less likely to seek help.

When asked, Jenny says it is important to open the debate, « if we put our heads in the sand and pretend this is not the case, this just goes on, of course, violence thrives best in silence. »

« We just need to be really aware that prostitution and trafficking in Iceland are a very big part of our community. It is a considerable group of Icelandic men who buy prostitution and do not refuse whether they are sold human trafficking and completely blind eye on what situation. »

Perpetrators and victims are of all origin

Asked if the incidence of trafficking had increased with an increased number of immigrants, Jenny answers yes. When people have to look for another because the job outlook is small or none in their home country, it usually gets into a delicate position, offers some opportunity and imagine that it is the only way.

However, she notes that the problem, especially regarding the workshop, had been known for a very long time. Now, employees in all key institutions are finally getting time to work on these issues and many things will be revealed. Due to mankind and that the cases had not been in the foreground, the issues would not have had any progress for a long time.

When asked, Jenny says he cannot give up detailed figures on the nationality of perpetrators, but it would have surprised her how many perpetrators are Icelandic. She then emphasizes that both perpetrators and victims are of all origin, including Icelandic.

Perpetrators enjoy perfect protection

Jenny says the councilors, first and foremost, the Ministry of Justice, must focus on buyers, for example, that today they simply pay a fine for the purchase of prostitution and then do not fall a verdict, and the man therefore does not name.

« As soon as there is a risk that this will go to trial and you will be named, there are quite a few who would think twice.

Right now it’s just like paying a speeding fine. This is a fine of 200,000 krónur and according to the police, it is paid very quickly and safely to prevent the case from going further, ”says Jenny. This usually takes place for closed doors and perpetrators enjoy complete protection.