An Introduction to Human Trafficking - United Nations Office on ...

SUMMARIES OF THE PAPERS
Prevention initiatives in areas of origin have primarily taken the form of
information/awareness-raising campaigns alerting people of the dangers involved in seeking
work abroad, the promotion of income-generating activities, formal and non-formal
educational initiatives and initiatives targeted at groups that are known <strong>to</strong> be at high risk
of being trafficked. Some prevention programmes have taken the form of measures <strong>to</strong>
strengthen social protection.
Although the industrialized States <strong>to</strong> which people are trafficked have invested money
principally in prevention in the countries of origin, they have also begun <strong>to</strong> make efforts
within their own countries, primarily in the form of revision and comprehensive implementation
of immigration and employment policies. Moni<strong>to</strong>ring working conditions,
notably in the informal economic sec<strong>to</strong>rs, regulating recruitment agencies in sec<strong>to</strong>rs where
trafficking occurs, providing facilities <strong>to</strong> protect migrants from abusive practices and using
legislation <strong>to</strong> address the demand for the labour or services of a trafficked person are
some of the <strong>to</strong>ols States have used <strong>to</strong> address demand. Countries of destination have also
implemented large-scale information campaigns <strong>to</strong> inform the public about the potential
for abusive practices in their countries.
Protection and assistance
International guidelines now clarify the rights of trafficked persons under existing international
law, in particular their rights <strong>to</strong> protection and assistance. Intergovernmental agencies
and non-governmental organizations have issued a range of good practice guidelines
concerning assistance and care so that identified trafficked persons can be transferred <strong>to</strong>
a safe place <strong>to</strong> receive a variety of services, including physical and psychological care,
legal assistance, shelter and protection. Significant efforts have also been made <strong>to</strong> develop
standards for the special care of children.
The treatment of trafficked persons in countries of exploitation varies widely from country
<strong>to</strong> country. Restrictions on the definition of a trafficking person (women trafficked for
commercial sexual exploitation, for example) can leave other trafficked persons without
any legal recourse. In many places, trafficked persons remain criminalized for their illegal
entry in<strong>to</strong> or residence in the countries of transit and destination or for their involvement
in illicit activities that were a direct consequence of their being trafficked. The
consequence of inadequate identification procedures usually means that a trafficked person
will be summarily returned <strong>to</strong> his or her country of origin without any attention <strong>to</strong>
potential risks at home.
Recovery for trafficked persons is a long and complex process. Lessons learned reveal
that the conventional assumption that victims should be repatriated and returned <strong>to</strong> live
with their families is inappropriate and results <strong>to</strong>o easily in victims being returned <strong>to</strong> a
situation where they suffer further harm.
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