HopeNow - Empowering Trafficked People

Hjem
Danmark
Copenhagen
HopeNow - Empowering Trafficked People

HopeNow er en lille uafhængig, landsdækkende NGO, der siden 2007 har ydet rådgivning og støtte til ofre for menneskehandel. mhp.

HOPENOWS PRIMÆRE INDSATSOMRÅDER:

📌 Opsøgende socialt arbejde i prostitutionsmiljøet på gaden i København, i landets fængsler, arresthuse, asylcentre, afrejsecentre, kirker, mv. at identificere ofre for menneskehandel.

📌 Psykosocial og terapeutisk støtte samt traumeterapi så individerne kan få bearbejdet
traumer og få styrket selvværd. Desuden tilbyder vi støtte som bisidder.

📌 Juridisk og pers

onlig rådgivning med fokus på hjælp til selvhjælp for at styrke individernes handlekraft, adgang til yderligere assistance og forbedret livssituation.

📌 Tilbyde et gratis måltid mad og andre fornødenheder. Et vigtigt element i det tillidsopbyggende og tryghedsskabende relationsarbejde. HOPENOWS SÆRLIGE PROFIL:

✅ Vi er den NGO, som har identificeret det største antal ofre for menneskehandel i Danmark.

✅ Vi er den eneste danske NGO, som er specialiseret i at arbejde med handlede mænd.

✅ Vi har bidraget til at skabe lovmæssig præcedens for, at handlede personer behandles i overensstemmelse med EU-lovgivningen på området via vores juridiske ekspertise.

✅ Vi fik tildelt The European Crime Prevention Award i 2014 af EUs kriminalpræventive netværk (EUCPN) for vores forebyggende arbejde mod menneskehandel.

04/03/2026

2025 was another impactful year for HopeNow. Thanks to the generous increase in donations, we were able to expand our scope and strengthen the assistance we provide to victims of trafficking. This growth was matched by the addition of a wonderful team whose dedication has amplified our impact even further.

As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to deepening our support for victims and intensifying our efforts to combat human trafficking. We are truly grateful for all the partners we have worked alongside and for the continued support that makes our mission possible.

11/02/2026

1️⃣ NGO–Government Meeting (Odense)
On 29 January, HopeNow joined Reden International, AmiAmi, and CMM for our annual NGO–Government meeting in Odense. We discussed the new Danish action plan against human trafficking, casework, data, and ways to strengthen collaboration.

We value these partnerships and the continued joint effort to combat human trafficking in Denmark.

⸻

2️⃣ Launch of the National Action Plan (2026–2029)
On 23 January, we attended the launch of Denmark’s new National Action Plan against human trafficking. We were honoured to take part and grateful for the recognition of NGOs’ vital role in this work.

HopeNow remains committed to supporting and empowering victims and survivors, and to working closely with our partners to combat trafficking in Denmark.

04/02/2026

Come spend a day with us at HopeNow.

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explorepage

15/01/2026

Meet the team behind HopeNow ⤸

HopeNow’s impact is built by this incredible team, advocates, interns, volunteers, and everyone in between.

07/01/2026

In November, HopeNow joined fellow NGO’s and international experts in Siracusa for the Nigeria–Europe NGO Conference on the Non‑Punishment Principle, hosted with the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights.
The focus was strengthening cooperation between Nigerian and European actors so that victims of trafficking are protected not punished. Together, we looked at case management, cross‑border referrals, digital tracking, and how ongoing reforms in Nigeria can better align with CSO‑led protection work. A joint communiqué now commits all partners to deeper collaboration within a victim-centred framework guided by the non-punishment principle.

Our director Michele Mildwater contributed important insights on emerging vulnerabilities including how criminal networks exploit LGBTQ+ individuals through blackmail, the impact of Boko Haram on internal security, and the growing role of cyber-enabled recruitment. To ground the discussion, we shared an anonymised case from our outreach in Copenhagen. It highlighted how easily a trafficked person can fall through the cracks when systems don’t recognise indicators early enough.

Being part of this conference mattered deeply to HopeNow. Many of the victims we are working with are Nigerian nationals, and stronger cooperation between Nigerian and European partners directly shapes the protection and support they receive.

10/12/2025

💬 is an opportunity to reflect on the full spectrum of challenges faced by vulnerable people every day. Today, we want to draw attention to labour exploitation.

At HopeNow, we work with people who are currently being exploited, showing that labour trafficking is not a problem of the past: it is happening now, often in plain sight. In cities like Copenhagen, where labour shortages exist in sectors such as hospitality, cleaning, farming, and construction, vulnerable migrant workers can become easy targets for traffickers seeking to exploit their need for work and stability.

We protect dignity and human rights through tailored legal guidance and trauma-informed, culturally sensitive counselling, working closely with social workers, lawyers, and legal professionals. However, empowerment is not a quick fix; it is a deeply personal and often unpredictable journey.

On this day, we call for consistency and long-term commitment. Creating safe spaces where people can share their stories, access support, or find temporary refuge from abuse is a critical first step. From there, empowerment is carefully shaped around each survivor, allowing them to regain agency and rebuild their lives at their own pace.

Human trafficking is a fast-paced, ever-evolving crime, and at HopeNow we believe that defending and prioritising the human rights of those affected must remain at the centre of every response: today, on Human Rights Day, and every day.

🔗 Read our joined statement with La Strada International here: https://lnkd.in/eUm6DG8H

11/11/2025

HopeNow has provided lectures for over 10 years at the Catholic Foundation of Applied Sciences Munich (KSH). As guest lecturers, HopeNow provides a 3-day course for social work students focused on the practice of working with victims and survivors of human trafficking. 2025 marked the third-year guest lecturing with our three-person team consisting of HopeNow founder and director - Michele Mildwater, Social Worker and Criminologist - Tia Walters and the chairperson of the board - Zainab Emerald Schur. Together, we shared our knowledge, experience and expertise working with victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Throughout the course we covered many different aspects of human trafficking on a national level, human trafficking in Europe and global scale. Our lectures included both the historical development of human trafficking in Europe and the modern development of trafficking (Ai, online recruitment etc.). We discussed the indicators for human trafficking and how we in HopeNow work to recognize these indicators and our trauma-informed approach to supporting the victims. We also touched on various trafficking trends, ethical dilemmas, and challenges when working in this field.

Our lectures included a mixture of traditional teaching methods, PowerPoints, films, performance, group discussions, and role-play. We find that this integrated appraoch allows the students to actively participate and in turn provides them with a more engaging classroom experience.

As always, our time lecturing university students is rewarding and leaves us inspired by the new generation of social workers. This group of students was particularly curious, engaged and eager to learn more, contribute to the discussions and ask questions. They also shared experiences and knowledge from their home countries regarding trafficking trends and cases. This engagement motivates us in our commitment to continue to raise awareness on the issue of human trafficking. At HopeNow, we believe that knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against human trafficking, and our collaboration with institutions like KSH underscores our dedication to sharing our expertise with future social work professionals.

A qoute from one of the students:

“I am very thankful for your well-structured seminar on the important topic of human trafficking! Especially I liked the many examples of the practical work you do, and that you shared your personal stories with us. The way you talk about the topic was professional and personal/ emotional at the same time, which made the whole course a unique experience and an excellent fit for our studies of social work. Also, the mix between personal stories, movies, and input (eg. the indicators of human trafficking or the importance of culture) and methods was well selected and made it easy to follow. Now I feel equipped with a broader understanding of human trafficking, a sharper view on the indicators, more sensitivity on the cultural aspects and more than a glimpse of what it can mean to be trafficked as a human being. I also liked your tips on psychohygene and the positive energy, fun and optimism you all have! All in all, one of my favorite courses, thank you very much! Your work encourages me to consider working on the topic in my career as well.”

Together, we continue our dedicated work combatting human trafficking, protecting victims and survivors, and promoting human rights. Thank you to KSH for their ongoing support, and we look forward to coming back. Find out more here about booking us for a lecture or workshop: https://www.hopenow.dk/book-a-workshop-or-lecture

18/10/2025

Across Europe, many people experiencing severe exploitation are still not recognised or protected as victims of human trafficking. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, or legal status, every trafficked person has a right to protection, support, and justice.

Today, we are raising awareness of the new and expanded forms of exploitation recognised in the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, which now also includes:

Forced marriage
Exploitation through surrogacy
Illegal adoption

Within our work, forced marriage has been a more present and complex issue. Many victims are coerced through family pressure, financial dependency, or social obligation, and later subjected to exploitation and abuse resembling other trafficking patterns.

As part of EU Anti-Trafficking Day, we are sharing Amirah’s case, one of the clients we have supported, involving forced marriage for human trafficking. Check out her story on our survivor series - https://www.hopenow.dk/cases/the-price-of-love

As we mark EU Anti-Trafficking Day, we call for stronger protection mechanisms, improved identification, and meaningful support for all victims, including those affected by forced marriage, surrogacy exploitation and illegal adoption.

09/05/2025

HopeNow took part in an important dialogue on anti-trafficking efforts in Denmark.

Our director Michele and social worker Tia, joined the 2025 Annual Conference hosted by the Center mod Menneskehandel (Danish Centre Against Human Trafficking) and Syd- og Sønderjyllands Politi (South and Southern Jutland Police).

The event focused on strengthening investigation and prosecution of human trafficking through real case insights, cross-sector collaboration, and victim-centred practices. From thorough police investigations to coordinated shelter and counselling—these examples show that when time and resources are invested, justice is possible.

At HopeNow, we know that long-term support for survivors goes beyond the courtroom. Our work focuses on empowering victims through trust, inclusion, and participation—ensuring that survivors are not only protected but also heard, valued, and involved in shaping solutions.

We’re grateful to be part of a field where cooperation leads to protection, dignity, and accountability.

28/04/2025

Navigating Gender Perspectives in Human Trafficking 🤝

We were honored to attend the seminar "Traffickers and Trafficked: Gender Perspectives on Human Trafficking," organized by
Danish Institute for Human Rights in collaboration with Center mod Menneskehandel (Center Against Human Trafficking).

💬 Key insights came from experts including:
- Mara Garavini Seisselberg and Claire Gilliot from OSCE
- Trine Korsby, Assistant Professor at University of Copenhagen
- Thomas Laigaard from the Center Against Human Trafficking

We have over the years often collaborated closely with OSCE, and Michele Mildwater, our director, was invited to participate in a simulated training in Italy, as the coordinating director for five European NGOs, along with police and government organizations.

Since 2007, HopeNow has concentrated on the gender aspects of human trafficking. We were grateful for the opportunity to discuss the critical challenges in identifying victims and perpetrators, regardless of gender and the judicial challenges we face all over Europe of implementing the non-punishment of people who are defined as trafficked.

As the only anti-trafficking organization in Denmark dedicated to outreach work with both male and female trafficked people, survivors, and those in exploited forms of labour, our efforts have led to an increased number of men receiving assistance.

🌐 Join us in our mission to combat human trafficking and support survivors! Visit https://www.hopenow.dk/

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

27/12/2024

A Cautionary Tale About Social Media Job Scams 🛜

🌍 In todays world, we must all be aware of potential internet scams and red flags while using social media. It is not uncommon for people to end up in a bad situation due to online criminal tactics and strategies.

🚨 Helena’s story is a stark reminder of how fraudulent job offers on social media can lead to dangerous situations. Scammers exploit trust, disguising exploitation as legitimate employment opportunities.

Read more about real cases of trafficking at https://www.hopenow.dk

13/12/2024

A Journey of Survival and Strength 💪

Lucy ’s story reminds us that human trafficking thrives on the exploitation of vulnerability, and women are often disproportionately targeted.

📢 This is not just a story about Lucy; it is a story about countless women around the world who face similar circumstances. It urges us to reflect on how we can create safer spaces, challenge societal stigmas and preconceptions, and build systems that empower rather than exploit.

Read more about real cases of trafficking at https://www.hopenow.dk

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