PROTECTION

Trafficking Victim Identification: A Practitioner Guide (2021)

Victim identification is the process by which an individual is identified as a trafficking victim, which, in turn, entitles them to rights and protections. While formal identification should lead to and facilitate the opportunity for a victim to be referred for assistance, this does not always occur in practice. Some trafficking victims are not identified and assisted by frontline responders and practitioners. Other victims decline to be identified and assisted. Still other victims may be formally identified but not referred for assistance or may be forced to accept assistance. This practitioner guide reviews existing research on victim identification (and non-identification), touching on why some victims are (and are not) identified, challenges in the identification process and practices that may enhance victim identification.

Citation: Surtees, R. and L.S. Johnson (2021) Trafficking Victim Identification: A Practitioner Guide. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Bangkok: Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO).

Trafficking Victim Protection and Support: A Practitioner Guide (2021)

Victims of trafficking are entitled to, and should receive, immediate protection from their exploiters and from the possibility of further harm, including the risk of re-trafficking. They should receive support to meet their immediate needs and ensure their well-being, irrespective of their willingness to participate in criminal justice procedures, protection from detention and prosecution and the right to privacy. This practitioner guide reviews existing research on the protection and support of trafficking victims in Asia, both in terms of what exists and what challenges arise in the provision of protection and support.

Citation: Surtees, R. and L.S. Johnson (2021) Trafficking Victim Protection and Support: A Practitioner Guide. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Bangkok: Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO).

Recovery and Reintegration of Trafficking Victims: A Practitioner Guide (2021)

Recovery and reintegration is a complex and costly undertaking, often requiring a full and diverse set of services for victims (and sometimes their families), who themselves have widely differing short- and long-term physical, psychological, social and economic needs. Once the immediate needs of trafficked persons have been met, many victims require further assistance to reintegrate into their families and communities (e.g. vocational training, economic support, long-term access to healthcare, counseling, education, family mediation). Some assistance needs are a consequence of trafficking while others may be linked to vulnerabilities that existed before victims were trafficked as well as issues that have arisen in victims’ lives after trafficking. Because successful reintegration can take years to achieve, reintegration services must be available in the long-term and include follow-up and case management. This practitioner guide reviews and synthesizes existing research on recovery and reintegration of trafficking victims including barriers and challenges in the reintegration process as well as opportunities and entry points for supporting sustainable reintegration.

Citation: Surtees, R. and L.S. Johnson (2021) Recovery and Reintegration of Trafficking Victims: A Practitioner Guide. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Bangkok: Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO).

Special and Additional Measures for Child Trafficking Victims: A Practitioner Guide (2021)

The ASEAN Trafficking Convention (ACTIP) explicitly recognizes that child victims have special needs and that appropriate measures are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of child victims, from identification to the securing of a durable solution involving longer-term support. Care and protection must be made available on an equal and non-discriminatory basis with no distinction between child nationals and child non-nationals. Special attention should be paid to assessing and meeting the requirements of children with special needs such as the very young, those with disabilities and those who have suffered severe exploitation and abuse. This practitioner guide reviews existing research on the specific needs and experiences of trafficked children as well as measures in place and challenges faced to protect them. Based on this analysis, practitioners will be guided to a deeper understanding of how to more effectively address the critical issues that arise in implementing special and additional measures for trafficked children.

Citation: Surtees, R. and L.S. Johnson (2021) Special and Additional Measures for Child Trafficking Victims: A Practitioner Guide. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Bangkok: Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO).

The Trauma-Informed Code of Conduct for all Professionals Working with Victims of Human Trafficking and Slavery (2018)

The Trauma-Informed Code of Conduct (TiCC) is designed to enable professionals in all fields of discipline to: 1) establish and maintain a mutual relationship of trust with survivors in any working context or environment; 2) impart a consistent sense of calm, security and safety throughout the course of their work; 3) increase the confidence of survivors and minimize the risks of causing distress and re-traumatization; 4) remain safe and well in the course of their work, avoiding secondary traumatization and professional “burnout”.

Citation: Witkin, R. and K. Robjant (2018) The Trauma-Informed Code of Conduct for all Professionals Working with Victims of Human Trafficking and Slavery. London: Helen Bamber Foundation.  

 

Identification and Referral of Trafficking Victims in Indonesia: Guidelines for Frontline Responders and Multi-Disciplinary Teams at the Village Level (2018)

The Identification and Referral Guidelines are a practical tool to be used by multi-disciplinary frontline responders to enhance the voluntary and informed identification of previously unidentified trafficking victims who are living in their home communities in Indonesia and who do not have access to identification and assistance. The Guidelines provide practical step-by-step guidance to village-based frontline responders on how to conduct preliminary identification of presumed victims and support them to refer trafficking victims to relevant institutions and organizations to access the protections to which they are entitled. While piloted in Indonesia, these guidelines have broader relevance, offering practical models, resources and guidance to improve the identification of trafficking victims in their home communities and their referral for assistance, as well as access to justice.

Citation: NEXUS Institute (2018) Identification and Referral of Trafficking Victims in Indonesia. Guidelines for Frontline Responders and Multi-Disciplinary Teams at the Village Level. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute.  

 

Practice Guide: Identifying, Referring and Assisting Trafficking Victims. An Overview of National Referral Mechanisms (2018)

It is with a robust National Referral Mechanism, established and implemented by a country’s government at all levels and with its civil society partners, that the rights of trafficking victims are best and most effectively protected. Government officials and other stakeholders charged with assessing the viability of a National Referral Mechanism in their individual country or who are overseeing the creation or amendment of a National Referral Mechanism will benefit from this Practice Guide. The guide begins with a description of a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and then outlines the key features of an effective NRM as well as the criteria to guide its design. Additional reference materials are also included for more detailed information on specific subjects and issues in relation to NRMs.

Citation: Warnath Group (2018) Practice Guide: Identifying, Referring and Assisting Trafficking Victims. An Overview of National Referral Mechanisms. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.  

 

Providing Social Services Support for People Who Experienced Human Trafficking Acting as Witnesses in Legal Proceedings (2018)

Social services staff can contribute to the prosecutions of traffickers by supporting victim-witnesses who want to engage with law enforcement. This practice guide illustrates the role of social services staff in criminal justice processes using composite scenarios based on real cases and provides an overview on how to create safety and support plans and ensure the victim has the necessary information to exercise choice throughout the criminal justice process.  Social workers, case managers, shelter staff, and victim advocates will benefit from this practice guide’s application of the victim-centered approach to victim-witnesses in the criminal justice process. 

Citation: Warnath Group (2018) Providing Social Services Support for People Who Experienced Human Trafficking Acting as Witnesses in Legal Proceedings. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.  

 

Supporting the Reintegration of Trafficked Persons. A Guidebook for the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (2017) 

This guidebook is based on findings from the ground-breaking study: After trafficking: Experiences and challenges in the (re)integration of trafficked persons in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which is based on interviews with 252 trafficking victims in the GMS about their experiences of reintegration. The guidebook highlights positive examples and successes in the reintegration of trafficked persons in different settings and countries throughout the region. It also presents challenges faced by trafficked persons as they sought to move on from their exploitation, including what they suggested could be done in the future to better support the recovery and reintegration of trafficked persons. As critically, the guidebook offers a set of checklists which point to ways forward to improve work in the field of reintegration programming and policy. The guidebook is a practical resource for service providers in the GMS region (and further afield), to assist in improving reintegration programs and policies for trafficking victims. It may also be useful for donors and policymakers in terms of identifying and funding good practice in the field of reintegration of trafficking victims.

Citation: Surtees, R. (2017) Supporting the Reintegration of Trafficked Persons. A Guidebook for the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute.  

 

BETTER SUPPORT, BETTER PROTECTION: STEPS LAWYERS AND GUARDIANS CAN TAKE TO BETTER IDENTIFY AND PROTECT TRAFFICKED CHILDREN (2016)

This report provides a snapshot of the manner in which children who may have been trafficked into and within five EU states were or were not identified and protected in and up to 2016. It should be read in the context of other key research in this area, which has identified many of the same issues and shortcomings. For the purposes of this report, a trafficked child may be a foreign national, a national of an EEA state or a national of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom. This last group of trafficked children share many characteristics of the first two groups, but, as they do not require immigration status, they are unlikely to have their age disputed and may gain access to suitable care and accommodation more easily.

Citation: Finch, N. (2016) Better support, better protection: Steps lawyers and guardians can take to better identify and protect trafficked children. Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT.

 

COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN “IN A NUTSHELL”: A RESOURCE FOR PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES (2015)

Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of children is considered by ILO as one of the worst forms of child labour which requires immediate and definitive action from governments. It is a violation of the fundamental human rights of the most vulnerable in our society, our children, and an outrage that must be condemned in the strongest manner, it must also galvanize us into action. ILO research in the Pacific has shown that these issues are present in our communities and a collective effort is required in the fight against this. The “Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Children in a Nutshell” is a resource designed to enhance the knowledge base on sexual exploitation and trafficking in the Pacific. It clarifies the worst forms of child labour concepts and relevant ILO and UN Conventions that deal with these issues and highlights the risk and vulnerability factors that we must guard against to protect our children.

Citation: ILO (2015) Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Children “in a nutshell”: A Resource for Pacific Island Countries. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization.

 

POLICY GUIDE ON PROTECTING VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING (2015)

This policy guides aim to provide an overview of international and regional standards for the identification and protection of victims of trafficking, drawing extensively on examples of good practices from Bali Process member countries. The guide is intended for use as reference tools by a range of domestic agencies in Bali Process Member States.

Citation: Bali Process (2015) Policy Guide on Protecting Victims of Trafficking. Bangkok, Thailand: Bali Process Regional Support Office.  

 

OUT OF THE SHADOWS: A TOOL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING (2014)

Human trafficking occurs on a massive scale, trapping thousands of victims in lives of incredible suffering with seemingly no way to escape. It does not necessarily involve transporting people across borders, but it does involve victimization and serious crimes committed within the U.S. Responding to this scourge requires knowing who and where victims are. To this end, the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) completed a two-year study, Improving Trafficking Victim Identification. The study created, field tested, and validated the first-ever screening tool that can reliably identify adult and minor victims of sex and labor trafficking, both U.S.- and foreign-born. The tool is a statistically validated 30-topic questionnaire designed to elicit evidence of trafficking victimization. Vera also researched the best way to conduct interviews with potential victims in order to facilitate trust between interviewers and respondents. With national dissemination, this screening tool should lead to better identification of trafficking victims and improved responses to victims by law enforcement, other legal professionals, and service providers in various types of agencies and settings. This is a summary of the research.

Citation: Simich, S. (2014) Out of the Shadows: A Tool for the Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking. United States: Vera Institute of Justice.

 

ASSISTING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: A GUIDE FOR VICTIM ADVOCATes (2012)

This technical assistance guide provides information about the prevalence of sexual violence throughout various forms of human trafficking. The content of this guide is intended to support community-based advocates working in their outreach and service provision to trafficking victims. This guide includes information from the research on trafficking, a discussion of the role of advocates, and possible advocacy and collaborative strategies.

Citation: NSVRC (2012) Assisting Trafficking Victims: A Guide for Victim Advocates. United States: National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.   

 

Monitoring Anti-Trafficking Re/integration Programmes. A Manual (2010)

It is important to systematically monitor assistance programs, to assess if and how reintegration has been achieved as well as how to more effectively reintegrate trafficking victims. This manual outlines two aspects of monitoring – 1) how to monitor individual reintegration plans and 2) how to monitor reintegration services – and provides a matrix, composed of indicators and the associated means of verification, to measure the outcomes and impact of individual services and, cumulatively, the various stages of reintegration. Monitoring is undertaken from the perspective of reintegration service providers (NGOs, IOs and GOs) as well as program beneficiaries.

Citation: Surtees, R. (2010) Monitoring Anti-Trafficking Re/Integration Programmes. A Manual. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Brussels: King Baudouin Foundation.  

 

CARING FOR TRAFFICKED PERSONS: GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS (2009)

For many trafficked persons, the physical and psychological aftermath of a trafficking experience can be severe and enduring. Health providers may come into contact with victims of trafficking at different stages of the trafficking process and at different stages of their recovery. For health practitioners, diagnosing and treating trafficked persons can be exceptionally challenging. The informed and attentive health care provider can play an important role in assisting and treating individuals who may have suffered unspeakable and repeated abuse. Caring for Trafficked Persons brings together the collective experience of a broad range of experts from international organizations, universities and civil society in addressing the consequences of human trafficking. The handbook gives practical, non-clinical advice to help a concerned health provider understand the phenomenon of human trafficking, recognize some of the associated health problems and consider safe and appropriate approaches to providing healthcare for trafficked persons. This essential tool is available in additional languages. 

Citation: IOM (2009) Caring for Trafficked Persons: Guidance for Health Providers. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration (IOM).  

 

IOM Handbook on Direct Assistance for Victims of Trafficking (2007)

This Handbook provides guidance and advice necessary to effectively deliver a full range of assistance to victims of trafficking from the point of initial contact and screening up to the effective social reintegration of the individuals concerned. Although the Handbook covers assistance to minors, it does not do so in the depth necessary for the concerned practitioner who should be sure to also refer to UNICEF’s Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims of Trafficking. The Handbook is designed to be read as a whole, but it can also be used to refer to specific topics dealt with in specific chapters.

Citation: IOM (2007) The IOM Handbook on Direct Assistance for Victims of Trafficking. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.  

 

GUIDELINES ON THE PROTECTION OF CHILD VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING (2006)

These guidelines set out standards for good practice with respect to protection of and assistance to trafficked children. They are based on international human rights instruments and look at the protection of trafficked children from their identification up to their recovery and integration. They shall be used together with other guidelines and tools focusing on prevention. At the national and regional levels, these guidelines should be used as a platform for developing policies and practices, taking into consideration local circumstances, constraints and resources. The cross-border nature of trafficking may necessitate fostering regional ownership where mechanisms can further the protection of child victims and facilitate implementation at the national level. International, multilateral and bilateral cooperation can also play an important role. The aim of these guidelines is to assist governments and State actors, international organizations and NGOs or other service providers. 

Citation: UNICEF (2006) Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims of Trafficking. New York: United Nations Children’s Fund.  

 

NATIONAL REFERRAL MECHANISMS: JOINING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS. A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK (2004)

This handbook sets out a framework for the creation and operation of an effective NRM. It describes the international legal obligations and political commitments that form the basis for establishing an NRM. It shows how anti-trafficking measures can be conceived and implemented on a national level through an NRM. And, it draws on the grass-roots experience of non-governmental organizations and OSCE field operations4 in fostering the creation of successful NRMs. This approach recognizes that many actors – including both government and civil society – must co-operate to develop a truly effective and comprehensive protection structure for trafficked persons. The handbook recognizes that an NRM should not be a static structure but that it can be continually improved through monitoring and suggestions from all participants, including, of course, the victims themselves. The handbook defines suggested roles for governmental institutions and civil society in an NRM. It highlights key issues and describes the type of programs and services that should ideally be available to trafficked persons. It provides a political context, a methodology, and a description of the key legal and practical elements to be considered when creating an NRM. Although the handbook is general rather than country-specific, it provides practical examples to show that even where countries have different legislative and socio-economic contexts, all have an opportunity to design and implement effective NRMs tailored to their national situations.

Citation: OSCE ODIHR (2004) National Referral Mechanisms: Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons. A Practical Handbook. Warsaw, Poland: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).  

 

PROSECUTION 

 

Practice Guide: Prosecutor Trial Preparation – Countering Common Defenses (2018)

The prosecutor of human trafficking cases can anticipate the common defense arguments and prepare to present counter-arguments supported by corroborating evidence. The practice guide  explains the relationship between the elements of the crime of human trafficking as laid out in the UN Palermo Protocol and the common defenses.  It provides descriptions and examples of the three most common types of defenses and offers counter arguments and suggestions for types of corroborating evidence prosecutors should look for.

Citation: Warnath Group (2018) Prosecutor Trial Preparation – Countering Common Defenses. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.  

 

GENDER TOOLKIT: A GUIDE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS IN THE ASEAN REGION (2017)

The Gender Toolkit is designed to provide practical advice on how to improve gender equality in partnership with criminal justice professionals working on TIP cases in ASEAN Member States. It is also intended to: raise awareness of the gender barriers in the criminal justice response to TIP; identify and showcase key gender-responsive approaches already piloted in the region, and; to assist in the development of new responses to gender barriers in the criminal justice system.

Citation: AAPTIP (2017) Gender Toolkit: A Guide for Criminal Justice Practitioners in the ASEAN Region. Bangkok, Thailand: Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons (AAPTIP).  

 

Interpretation Logistics for TIP Cases (2017)

This knowledge sharing paper is intended to assist investigators and prosecutors working on human trafficking cases requiring the use of an interpreter to communicate with case witness(es) or defendant(s). It details how to establish a relationship with the interviewee while considering the needs of the interpreter.

Citation: Warnath Group (2017) Interpretation Logistics for TIP Cases. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.

 

Practice Guide: Prosecutor Trial Preparation – Direct Examination Questions for the Victim (2017)

This knowledge sharing paper is designed to assist prosecutor trial preparation for human trafficking cases. It provides actionable techniques and guidelines for prosecutors to consider when preparing an orderly and logical direct examination of the victim in trafficking in persons cases. The victim is the only witness in a TIP case who can tell the full story of the trafficking crime, making the direct examination critical to a successful case.

Citation: Warnath Group (2017) Practice Guide: Prosecutor Trial Preparation – Direct Examination Questions for the Victim. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.

 

Practice Guide: Prosecutor Trial Preparation – Preparing the Victim of Human Trafficking to Testify (2017)

This knowledge sharing paper is designed to assist prosecutor trial preparation for human trafficking cases. by providing actionable techniques and guidelines for prosecutors to consider when preparing the victim of human trafficking to testify in court. 

Citation: Warnath Group (2017) Practice Guide: Prosecutor Trial Preparation – Preparing the Victim of Human Trafficking to Testify. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.

 

Practice Guide: Selecting, Vetting, and Preparing Interpreters for Human Trafficking Cases (2017)

This knowledge sharing paper will assist investigators and prosecutors working on human trafficking cases where an interpreter will need to be hired. It explains how to thoroughly vet and prepare interpreter candidates to ensure the proper handling of human trafficking cases.

Citation: Warnath Group (2017) Practice Guide: Selecting, Vetting, and Preparing Interpreters for Human Trafficking Cases. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.

 

Practice Guide: How Using Expert Consultants & Expert Witnesses Can Strengthen Your Human Trafficking Case (2016)

This knowledge sharing paper is designed to assist practitioners in how to use expert consultants and expert witnesses to strengthen human trafficking cases. It provides guidelines to consider when using expert witnesses to prosecute human trafficking cases.

Citation: Warnath Group (2016) How Using Expert Consultants & Expert Witnesses Can Strengthen Your Human Trafficking Case. Washington, D.C.: Warnath Group.  

 

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING MANUAL FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS (2009)

This module aims to clarify the concept of witness protection in criminal justice system and its relevance to trafficking in persons cases;  the necessity of victim protection in trafficking in persons cases; the appropriate protection measures that should be in place for a victim-witness in every phase of criminal justice process; and the role of every criminal justice administrator in ensuring the protection of a victim-witness.

Citation: UNODC (2009) Anti-human trafficking manual for criminal justice practitioners. Vienna, Austria: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).  

 

COMPENSATION FOR TRAFFICKED AND EXPLOITED PERSONS IN THE OSCE REGION (2008)

This assessment analyses the right to compensation for trafficked persons in international law through the lens of a wide range of international standards that relate to combating trafficking, the rights of crime victims, the rights of migrants, labour rights and the rights of victims of gender-based violence.

Citation: OSCE/ODIHR (2008) Compensation for Trafficked and Exploited Persons in the OSCE Region. Warsaw, Poland: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIRH).  

 

PROSECUTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASES: LESSONS LEARNED AND PROMISING PRACTICES (2008)

This study aims to increase the understanding of prosecutors’ ability to use the tools available to prosecute and convict traffickers while balancing the needs of trafficked persons. Specifically, the study intended to address the following key questions: How effective is existing legislation in helping prosecutors combat human trafficking? Is existing legislation a useful tool for prosecutors? What are the characteristics of successful prosecutions (i.e., those leading to the conviction of traffickers and other parties involved in the criminal act)? What strategies/techniques are used by prosecutors? What barriers/challenges do prosecutors face in handling human trafficking cases? How are (can) these barriers/challenges be overcome? Ultimately through critical analysis of federal cases, surveys of federal and state prosecutors, and in-depth interviews, this study is intended to provide important lessons learned regarding the prosecution of human trafficking cases in the U.S. Ultimately through critical analysis of federal cases, in-depth interviews of federal and surveys of state prosecutors, this study is intended to provide important lessons learned regarding the prosecution of human trafficking cases in the U.S.

Citation: Clawson, H.J., N. Dutch, S. Lopez and S. Tiapula (2008) Prosecuting Human Trafficking Cases: Lessons Learned and Promising Practices. Fairfax, United States: ICF International.  

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES TO TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: ASEAN PRACTITIONER GUIDELINES (2007)

The overall objective of these Practitioner Guidelines is to assist the criminal justice agencies of ASEAN Member Countries in their goal of securing justice for victims and ending the impunity of traffickers. The Practitioners Guideines include guidelines on strengthening legal frameworks, specialization and co-operation, victim-witness management, witness protection, trial issues, child victim handling, and international legal cooperation.

Citation: ASEAN (2007) Criminal Justice Responses to Trafficking in Persons: ASEAN Practitioner Guidelines. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  

 

PREVENTION

 

HANDBOOK: HOW TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR DOMESTIC SERVITUDE IN DIPLOMATIC HOUSEHOLDS AND PROTECT PRIVATE DOMESTIC WORKERS (2014)

The aim of this handbook is to raise awareness of how host states can regulate and monitor the employment conditions of private domestic workers in diplomatic households. It highlights how protocol departments and similar authorities can prevent exploitation or abuse and what can be done if it occurs. Finding effective responses is a challenge for many countries. Switzerland, like Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States and other host states of international organizations and foreign missions, started to introduce preventive measures some time ago. The need to prevent and respond to employment disputes and to address grievances of private domestic workers, however, has been recognized in other countries too. Indeed, this is an issue which can be much better addressed together and which should be a priority for the international community. It is time to respond to this challenge, to strengthen the reputation of the international community in this respect, and to promote shared values across the OSCE region.

Citation: OSCE (2014) Handbook: How to prevent human trafficking for domestic servitude in diplomatic households and protect private domestic workers. Austria: Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, Organization fo Security and Co-operation in Europe.

 

RE-THINKING TRAFFICKING PREVENTION: A GUIDE TO APPLYING BEHAVIOUR THEORY (2011)

The term “prevention” is used to describe a huge range of anti‐trafficking interventions and has accounted for a large proportion of the investment in anti‐trafficking. In source‐ based efforts to reduce vulnerability and migration, we find a host of awareness‐raising activities, microcredit schemes, vocational training, community protection networks, programmes to increase school attendance, and even the building of wells in rural communities to reduce seasonal migration. At destinations we find further awareness‐ raising efforts, emerging campaigns targeting consumers, migrant hotlines, and workplace inspections. Governments and other actors have also attempted to prevent trafficking in transit through strengthened border controls, restrictions on movement, particularly of young women and girls, and out‐reach services for potentially vulnerable migrants in border areas, boat and bus terminals. To date, however, there has been limited analysis to understand how these efforts ultimately impact human trafficking or how they fit together into a set of activities to prevent human trafficking. Further, although the prevention of trafficking requires changes in behaviour, there have been few attempts to define prevention activities in behavioural terms. This paper seeks to highlight the potential advantages of doing so, demonstrating the benefits of behavioural theory, developed and refined in other fields1, as a basis for stronger programme design and evaluation in the anti‐trafficking sector. It will not provide extensive detail on behavioural theory, on which there is much documentation, but seeks to present core ideas in broad terms to anti‐trafficking practitioners.

Citation: Marshall, P. (2011) Re-Thinking Trafficking Prevention: A Guide to Applying Behaviour Theory. Bangkok, Thailand: United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking and Asian Development Bank.  

 

Standard Operating Procedures

 

ARZ Standard Operating Procedures on Trafficking in Persons for Commercial Sexual Exploitation (2016)

Arz (anyay rahit zindagi) is an organization working to combat human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. Over the years of working on the issue, they have found that law enforcement agencies and service providers, especially front-line workers, are not well versed with the standard procedures to be followed. Furthermore, the law enforcement agencies have neither the resources nor the time to refer to the numerous legislations, rules, advisories and judgments dealing with the issue. This lack of knowledge results in them not following mandatory provisions, as a result of which they on one hand violate the rights of the victim and on the other make it more difficult for the victim to get justice. The front-line workers need to have this information readily accessible if they are to work more effectively with the victims. Arz therefore put together these SOPs, in order to provide Law Enforcement Agency & Government and Non-Government Service Providers with a comprehensive reference document to enable them to deal more effectively with cases relating to trafficking in persons for commercial sexual exploitation.

Citation: ARZ (2016) Standard Operating Procedures on Trafficking in Persons for Commercial Sexual Exploitation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Government and Non-Government Service Providers. India: ARZ.  

 

Developing Standard Operating Procedures to Facilitate the Protection of Trafficked Persons (2009)

The framework document highlights key areas for coordination and cooperation that are global in nature and should be adapted and adjusted to particular regional and national contexts. In particular, the document focuses on two areas where IOM and UNHCR play a key role: the identification of VoTs, the provision of protection and assistance and the promotion of sustainable solutions.

Citation: IOM and UNHCR (2009) Developing Standard Operating Procedures to Facilitate the Protection of Trafficked Persons. Geneva: International Organization for Migration and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.