PROJECT
Netherlands
Although the Netherlands is ranked Tier 1 (the government fully meets the minimum standard for the elimination of trafficking) by the US Trafficking in Persons Report, a study found that the number of human trafficking victims in the Netherlands is significantly underreported. In 2017, it was estimated that the number is five times higher than reported figures – around 6,250 trafficking victims per year.
Our Mission
To help survivors of human trafficking, and people who are at risk to be exploited, gain valuable job and life skills that will give them the freedom to find their own work and economic opportunities.
Our Challenges
In 2019, a little over half of trafficking victims in the Netherlands was female and most victims are from Nigeria, the Netherlands, Uganda, Poland and Romania. Approximately 57% of trafficking victims are forced to work in the sex industry. The second biggest field of exploitation was forced crime and then forced labor, for example in the transport industry, cleaning industry and hospitality.
Our Impact
The Dutch foundation Not For Sale has been providing survivors of human trafficking with vocational training since 2012. It started with a soup making program to empower victims residing in a safe house in Amsterdam. Achieving a certificate by finishing the soup program, made the participants feel proud and useful and helped in their recovery: they could envision a new future with a dignified job for themselves. The soup they made was sold to create a financially self-sustainable model. In 2015, this model was scaled up by opening up a brunch café in Amsterdam, Dignita, and a vocational job skills academy, the Dignita Academy, was founded.
Within the Dignita Academy participants can learn professional cooking, barista and beauty skills. To empower their situation in society, they receive training in life skills, such as citizenship, administration and taxes and health and first aid.
Survivors, and people at risk of falling victim to human trafficking because of their vulnerable position in society, can put the knowledge and skills they learnt in the Dignita Academy into practice in three Dignita restaurants in Amsterdam and with partner companies and organizations. All profits from Dignita are returned to the Dutch Not For Sale foundation to continue to fight trafficking worldwide.
46
People were given an education
60,000
Meals served at DIGNITA
5
People were hired
9
Women received job coaching
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