A person who is a victim of human trafficking may feel helpless and have difficulty trusting others. It is important to remember that you can always get help. The first step is to contact 112 by phone, SMS, or via the web chat. 

The emergency operators at 112 are impartial agents connected to all the resources that can help victims of human trafficking. The person who calls can choose whether to inform the police or keep the police out of the case. The individual is invited to speak to Bjarkarhlíð staff, who provide coordinated services for potential victims of human trafficking. At Bjarkarhlíð they can receive:

Connection to social services and the Directorate of Labour.

Assistance with applying for a temporary residence permit.

Information about the reporting process and how the police administer justice..

The police work with the individual to get them out of the human trafficking situation. The police’s goal is always to investigate the case with the individual’s safety at the forefront.

Whether you are a victim or suspect another person is a victim, the first step is always to contact 112.

Huang-Kai was hired to work as a chef at a restaurant in Reykjavik. His supervisor provided him with housing nearby and promised to...

Human trafficking can appear in many forms and is often very hidden. People from all corners of society can be exploited, most often for financial gain.

Bjarkarhlíð offers help to all people who have suffered abuse. You will be well taken care of here.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, or been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact a counselor at Bjarmahlíð regardless of your gender, origin or social status. There you will have access to a police officer, a lawyer, a social worker, and other organizations that offer support. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost associated with services or counseling.

The building is wheelchair accessible. If you need, you can get sign language or language interpretation.

Bjarkarhlíð is located near Bústaðarvegur in Reykjavík. Opening hours are on weekdays from 9–5. It is best to book a time through their website, calling their phone number: 5533000. You can also send an email to bjarkarhlid@bjarkarhlid.is.

Family Justice Center for Survivors of Violence

Íslenska, English. Language and sign language interpretation.

Bjarkarhlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

You can always call 1717. Full confidentiality and anonymity is guaranteed.

You can call 1717 or talk on their webchat if you want to talk to someone. The volunteers are professionally trained, well-experienced and from all walks of life. You can contact them regarding any issue causing you concern. You can get emotional support, counseling, helpful information or just someone to listen. Both the phone and webchat are free of cost.

When you sign into the webchat, you will be prompted to register a name and email, but you do not need to register your real name or email.

Here are some examples of matters you can talk about:

If you need someone to talk to or need information about where to find help, please do not hesitate to get in touch. If you do not speak fluent Icelandic, you can request to speak English or Polish.

Free of Cost - Confidential – Always Open

The Red Cross Helpline 1717 is a phone service and webchat for those who need someone to talk to in confidentiality. They are open 24 hours, and it's free to call.

Please notify first if you need wheelchair access.

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri helps all people who have suffered abuse. 

If you or anyone you know has been abused, you can contact a counselor at Bjarmahlíð regardless of your gender, origin or social status. There you will have access to a police officer, a lawyer, a social worker, and other organizations that offer support. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost associated with services or counseling.

If necessary, you can receive sign language interpretation or language interpretation. The building is not wheelchair accessible, so if you need such access, please mention this when you book an appointment, a counselor can then meet with you at the Social Services office of Akureyri located in Glerárgata. 

Bjarmahlíð is located at Aðalstræti 14 in Akureyri. The office is open weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm. It is best to book a time on their website or call via telephone 5512520. You can also send them an email at bjarmahlid@bjarmahlid.is.

Bjarmahlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

The Multicultural Center provides immigrants with information about their rights.

The Multicultural Information Centre gives immigrants in Iceland information on many aspects of everyday life and administration in this country. Their aim is to enable every individual to become an active member of Icelandic society, no matter the background or where they come from. MCC also provide institutions, companies and associations with advice and information relating to immigrant issues. You can find a lot of information on their website, for example:

You can get a language interpreter when you talk to counsellers at the Multicultural Centre. Their place is wheelchair accessible, but it's best to notify before if you need it. They don't offer sign language interpretation.

The Multicultural Information Centre is located at Árnagata 2-4 in Ísafjörður, but they service the whole country. Their offices are open on weekdays from 9 am to 16 pm. You can either call them: 4503090, or send an email to mcc@mcc.is.

Language interpretation. No sign language.

Immigrants in Iceland can get information about their rights and obligations at the Multicultural Centre.

112 operators will connect you to the police if you need assistance because of abuse or violence.

In Iceland, the police enjoy a high level of trust from residents, and people may safely approach the police if they believe that they have been the victim of an offence or violence. The Icelandic police works according to law and seeks to help everyone living in Iceland, irrelevant of whether they are Icelandic citizens or not. The Icelandic police does not have special connection to the police in your home country.

Abuse in close relationships is a matter of a priority for the police. It is possible to call, send a text message to 112 or contact them through the webchat. You can also go to the nearest police station.

If you have suffered any form of abuse you can also talk to a police officer at Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík or Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri. It can be more comfortable to go there. There is no pressure to press charges. Everything is done according to your wishes.

Immigrants have a right to get an interpreter when dealing with the police and in court.​ The institution in question should pay for the interpreter. ​You need to ask for an interpreter yourself with notice. Don’t be afraid to say you need the service. It’s your right.

The police helps everyone living in Iceland

Emergency, 112, calling, call, accident, violence, disaster, distress, iceland, icelandic helpline, police, fire, ambulance, human trafficking, axiety, call for help, assistance, sexual harrassment, emergency call, security, police officer, get help

The police in Iceland help people who have suffered abuse of any kind. Police see abuse in close relationships as a very serious matter. 

You can prevent the exploitation of another person if you notice certain clues in your immediate environment. Contacting 112 is the first step toward fighting human trafficking.

What can I do?

Huang-Kai

Human trafficking and exploitation

Resources

Bjarkarhlíð

1717

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri

Multicultural Information Centre

Police