Overview: Understanding Root Causes of Vulnerability Types of Prevention Programs –Awareness Campaigns –Addressing Root Causes –Involving Community Structures Lessons Learned 1

Root Causes: What is Vulnerability? Poverty Social or economic isolation Domestic violence / instability Gender and/or ethnic discrimination/violence Victim of conflict Low to no education Desire to migrate, seek better future or adventure Weak social infrastructure 2

Pull Factors False job opportunities False educational opportunities False romantic offers “Recruitment relies heavily on the "facilitating factor", i.e. the quality and timing of the offer, and most importantly, the credibility… of the person making the offer.” Source: Zimmerman, Catherine, Mazeda Hossain, Kate Yun, Brenda Roche, Linda Morison, and Charlotte Watts. Stolen Smiles: A Summary Report on the Physical and Psychological Health Consequences of Women and Adolescents Trafficked in Europe. London, UK: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine,

Types of Prevention Activities Address one or more vulnerability factors associated with a potential victim that may contribute to a heightened risk Increase the ability of officials and others to identify potential TIP and appropriate interventions 4

Difference between Awareness and Prevention Awareness Raising: Sharing information with the goal of changing an attitude or behavior of a specific group of people Prevention: Action taken to change a behavior or change a course of action with the goal of preventing a person from entering the trafficking cycle 5

Awareness-Raising Campaigns Can Engage: Mass media Local media Community leadership Local groups 6

Prevention to Address Root Causes Addressing Economic Factors Employment schemes (internships, apprenticeships) Assistance in starting small business Empowering Positive Choices Personal empowerment and life skills training Programs to address domestic violence Improving Education Stay in school programs Vocational training or informal education 7

Prevention: Involving Community Structures Engage representatives from local government Engage schools or other educational centers Engage faith based organizations Engage industries which may unwittingly support trafficking 8

Lessons Learned - TIP Prevention Stand-alone awareness-raising programs often do not equip persons with skills to prevent trafficking Prevention efforts are most successful when they are coordinated among stakeholders, instead of relying on the efforts of an individual organization Prevention efforts must address the nuanced factors of vulnerability in each specific context Prevention efforts need to address push factors 9

Psychological and Physical State of Returned Victims Majority have been in some type of detention center immediately before being referred to a shelter or social services Almost all have been taught to fear cooperation with authorities and may be reluctant to work with social service providers Almost all are suffering from a combination of physical distress including hunger, exhaustion, headaches to more severe physical injuries incurred during trafficking situation More than half of all victims exhibit physical and psychological symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 10

Challenges to Victim Reintegration Difficulty in identifying victims and mistrust of authorities Availability of services to support victims Stigma faced by victims Social vulnerability still exists Security problems for victims and their families Physical and psychological trauma Sources: Stolen Smiles: A Summary Report on the Physical and Psychological Health Consequences of Women and Adolescents Trafficked in Europe. London, UK: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Needs Assessment for Service Providers and Victims of Trafficking. U. S. Department of Justice,

Identification and Referral Protection Starts with Identification Actors most likely to interact with victims are trained in victim identification For destination and transit countries: interception programs at transit hubs and in potential hotspots For origin countries: interception at border crossing points and community outreach in trafficking hot zones (can overlap with prevention) Determine safest course of action for victims and refer to appropriate social services 12

Short-Term Shelters Usually in destination or transit countries Located in zones thought to be trafficking hot spots Have goal of meeting urgent short-term needs 13

Mid - Long Term Shelters Usually in origin countries Located in victim’s region of origin Offer package of services for reintegration process - Physical and psychological assistance - Family mediation - Vocational training and job placement - Legal assistance 14

Ensuring Quality of Care Guidelines on Identification and Referral of Victims Standard Operating Procedures/Standards of Care Case Management System Standards on Data Management 15

Drop in and Day Centers Long-term community-based integration or reintegration support Can be offered through different organizational modules, i.e., state social services, mobile clinics Can offer a similar package of services as a long-term shelter 16

Lessons on Prevention and Vulnerability For prevention programs to be effective, they must accurately understand who is vulnerable and how to best reach them Potential victims need to be informed about trafficking, and responsible authorities need to understand their role in preventing trafficking After a victim is identified and returned home, they can often be even more vulnerable upon their return 17

Lessons on Protection Multiple actors may come across trafficking victims, but unless they are trained in what to do, their knowledge of human trafficking is useless Border police authorities who are trained in victim identification are able to refer victims to social services The reintegration process is slowed down or stopped altogether when challenges (e.g. security, trauma) to reintegration are unresolved 18

Lessons on Prosecution Prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and the judiciary need to be trained on how to address TIP Bilateral and multilateral agreements can assist with cross-border cooperation Foreign victims should not be deported prior to a thorough investigation of the case facts and victim particulars Victim security is a critical factor -- witness protection may be needed to ensure victim security Failure to effectively investigate and prosecute empowers traffickers and reinforces victim mistrust of authorities 19