USAID's Response: Trafficking in Persons

USAID supports local and international non-government organizations’ (NGOs) efforts to put a halt to human trafficking, particularly of women and children. USAID’s efforts in anti-trafficking are built on Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution. 

Prevention: USAID focus on working with local non-government organizations to create public awareness in rural and semi-urban areas.  Anti-trafficking activities strive to redefine the role of teachers, students, and community and local leaders as activists and role models for disseminating messages on equality and human rights, safe migration and employment practices. Activities also work to stigmatizeperpetrators instead of victims.  USAID activities regarding outreach and public education efforts also focus on anti-trafficking measures to include not only the sexual exploitation of women and children but also the exploitation of men in areas of labor migration.

Protection:  USAID supports comprehensive services to assist survivors using a victim-centered approach to:

·   Identify trafficking victims whether in shelters or in communities;

·   Individually assess needs and provide an array of services in shelters and help trafficking victims to reintegrate smoothly into village or city life;

·   Provide survivors with life skills and income generation trainings to gain entrepreneurship or employment; and

·   Create models and opportunities for survivors to have a fresh, independent start without the risk of re-trafficking.

Prosecution: Prosecution activities are coupled with specific training for key government officials and law enforcement agents as well. USAID-supported advocacy efforts focus on expanding government oversight, improving arrest and prosecution rates, and building government capacity to monitor labor recruitment agencies and prosecute malpractices.  USAID supports activities with local anti-trafficking and migrant rights organizations to:

·   Develop and implement an advocacy agenda to improve enforcement of existing laws, policies and practices;

·   Pursue policy dialogue and legal reform to better address trafficking at the national and local government levels;

·   Advance prosecutorial capacity of law enforcement agents and lawyers; and

·   Expand the legal framework to encompass the emerging issue of labor migration abuses.