Many (Member) States logically place greater emphasis on detection in international protection procedures than in forced return procedures, in order to detect victims at the earliest stage possible. However, recognising that the authorities competent to enforce return may also come into contact with victims, most (Member) States also provide these actors with relevant training on identification and detection.
All (Member) States offer the possibility to refer identified victims onto service providers for support and some offer a choice of protection possibilities. Where a victim of trafficking is seeking international protection, but is also identified as a victim of trafficking in human beings, there is no obligation on the victim to switch to procedures for a residence permit as a victim of trafficking in human beings. Indeed, some (Member) States have reported that victims prefer to stay in international protection procedures rather than switch to procedures for victims of trafficking in human beings. This suggests that there is a need for the holistic protection possibilities being gradually introduced into (Member) States