Ten Nigerian victims identified in human trafficking case in Finland

In Finland, the victim assistance system has identified ten Nigerian victims of human trafficking, specifically highlighting exploitation occurring within the country. The first recorded Nigerian victim of sexual exploitation appeared in statistics from the assistance system in 2007. Terhi Tafari, the project manager of the Victim Support System, noted that there was also a border guard investigation into human trafficking at that time.

According to Tafari, the visibility of Nigerian women and their exploitation in prostitution began to rise significantly in Finland starting in 2009. To date, the assistance system has registered 188 women who have been exploited in prostitution. Tafari explained that trafficking of African women and children is a major business in Italy, primarily run by Nigerian organized crime groups, which can include their own relatives.

Many women flee from Italy to Northern European countries, often driven by financial motives such as the need to sacrifice a daughter for prostitution. Victims can easily find themselves in criminal situations if they accept offers from traffickers, which may involve repaying debts by recruiting more women from Nigeria.

Tafari mentioned that many of these women seek to hide in Northern Europe to access healthcare and escape their dire circumstances. However, the role of organized crime in Finland has been relatively minor. Nigerian women play a significant role in this trafficking situation, often led by so-called “madames,” female figures who exert control over the victims through various means.

For further insights, viewers can watch Terhi Tafari’s full interview on the topic.