Data regarding women met at the women´s shelter

The following data is based on information gathered from potential victims of trafficking met at one of the anonymous women’s shelters in Denmark.

Country of Origin

While the women at the shelter come from both EU and non-EU countries, the largest groups of women are primarily from Central- and Eastern European countries. A growing number of women come from Nigeria and Central- and South America, while a small portion of Thai women working in prostitution in Denmark have also been identified as potential victims of trafficking.

Age

Half of the women are under 25 years of age, while nearly a third are between the ages of 25 and 30. A fifth of the women met were over 30 years of age.

Family Situation

A third of the women who are or had been married have children. Half of all the women have financial obligations in their country of origin, either to children or extended family.

Earlier prostitution

A third of the women have had their prostitution-debut while residing in Denmark, while a little over half of the women have been in prostitution earlier – either in their home country, other countries or earlier visits to Denmark.

Recruitment

The manner in which the majority of women met in the shelter were recruited into prostitution in Denmark is unknown. In the cases for which these processes could be determined, a third came to Denmark on their own initiative, while nearly a fourth were lured here by the false-promise of a job. While over half of the women had previous knowledge that they would be working in the sex industry, experience has shown, that a fourth of these were unaware of the exact working conditions awaiting them.

Recruiter

In cases in which the relationship between the woman and her recruiter can be determined, many of the women note that their recruiter was a friend, relative or boyfriend.

Residence in Denmark

Half of the women have resided in Denmark less than 3 months before entering the shelter, and 70% have resided in the country less than a year. Experience has shown that Eastern European women, in particular, travel back and forth between their home country and Denmark or other Western European countries.

Referral and Assessment

85 % of the women have come into contact with the shelter through the police, 10% have contacted the shelter on their own, while the remainder have been referred by others.