In Germany the government makes a clear distinction between a trafficked person and a witness, i.e. a trafficked person who agrees to testify against the perpetrators during the trial. We do not make a distinction between witnesses and other trafficked persons who do not want to or cannot testify. Both groups of women are provided with counselling and psycho-social care.

The living and working conditions of persons affected by trafficking are characterized by their resemblance to working and living conditions in slavery. They have little or no influence on their working conditions. They can be mercilessly exploited and only serve for other people's profit seeking.

For women who are trafficked in the sex industry this can imply that they are not allowed to turn down clients or decline certain sexual practices or that they cannot insist on using condoms. In addition they are forced to comply with the sexual demands of the perpetrators (against their will and free of charge). Their possibilities to earn money - if at all existent - are completely disproportionate to their income. When identifying trafficking in the sex industry the distribution of the proceeds gained from their work plays an important role. Concerning the distribution of income, the Berlin police for example consider it an important indicator for trafficking when more than 50% of the earnings have to be turned in. Some women reported that they received no money at all until they had "worked off" their debts; some could retain up to 15 %.

For people affected by trafficking in other industries this can mean having to work up to 19 hours a day and also not being in a position to decline certain tasks. They also earn - if anything at all - much less than other employees in comparable jobs.

People affected by trafficking pay off their fictitious or actual debts under terms and conditions and with interest determined by one side. Women from Central and Eastern Europe report having to pay up to 3,500 € for their transit, while Thai women are forced to "work off" sums of 15,000 € - 35,000 €. Excessive costs are charged not only for entering the country but also for food, accommodation etc. These high amounts make it quite apparent that they in no way correspond to the actual costs involved for migrating. The terms for paying off the debts are usually unilaterally defined and cannot be negotiated by the women.

Some of the women are robbed of their freedom and experience violence.