The purpose of this document is to present the best practices adopted by the ASSIST project in providing gender-specific legal assistance and integration support to women who are third-country nationals and victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in five EU Member States: Ireland, Germany, Italy, Scotland/United Kingdom, and Catalonia/Spain. The document aims to showcase the most innovative, relevant, and effective practices that have been developed over the course of the two-year ASSIST project, which has focused on gender-specific assistance and actively involved victims of trafficking as experts and support providers.

The document provides an overview of the project and its work program, including the political context at both EU and national levels. It then highlights the main principles identified through partner discussions, focusing on addressing the unique legal needs of victims, ensuring the availability and accessibility of material assistance and safe housing, providing specialized psychological support, facilitating access to training and employment opportunities, and offering comprehensive integration support that empowers victims and provides long-term solutions.

Victims of trafficking have played a fundamental role in shaping the conceptualization and implementation of the project. They have actively participated as experts and service providers, with their direct input and experiences informing the understanding of gender-specific needs among migrant women victims of trafficking. Moreover, victims have been involved in the design and production of project materials such as national ASSIST project leaflets. Additionally, victims have played a significant role in delivering services through an innovative pilot program in Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom/Scotland, Germany, and Spain/Catalonia, where survivors are trained and included as mentors to provide peer-to-peer support.