“Human trafficking is always invisible. During a pandemic, it is easier to have cases going on that nobody reports.” Frontline Stakeholder from Portugal. The COVID-19 pandemic created new risks and challenges to victims of trafficking (VoTs) and survivors of trafficking, as well as having exacerbated the vulnerabilities of at-risk groups to trafficking. To analyze emerging trafficking in human beings (THB) trends and dynamics and to develop a response based on empirical data to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, ODIHR and UN Women conducted a global survey of (1) survivors of trafficking and (2) frontline stakeholders. Based on the survey findings and empirical data collected, a set of policy recommendations were developed. The survey findings indicate that through the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards, exacerbation of vulnerability of women and girls to THB for the purposes of sexual exploitation will increase. Online recruitment, grooming and exploitation have been widely used by traffickers during the pandemic. There are also indications that trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation online, including the demand for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) has increased. The majority of anti-trafficking stakeholders and survivors of trafficking reported decreased accessibility of assistance and services for VoTs and survivors of trafficking. Frontline organizations experienced significant challenges in their activities during the pandemic due to additional barriers in co-ordination and co-operation with governmental institutions and law enforcement agencies; lack of financial resources; difficulties in reaching vulnerable groups; and suspension or postponement of planned prevention and awareness raising activities. The combination of these factors on the work of frontline anti-trafficking stakeholders negatively impacts prevention, prosecution, and protection efforts to combat trafficking in human beings (CTHB). Based on the survey findings and research, ODIHR and UN Women have developed policy recommendations to address the trends and consequences of the pandemic on CTHB covering the following areas:

1) strengthen the implementation of international legal frameworks;

2) develop effective implementation of National Referral Mechanism (NRMs) or equivalent systems to address the current THB trends and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic;

3) develop and/or update of National Strategies and National Action Plans (NAPs) to CTHB to address the THB trends and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic;

4) strengthen identification of VoTs to address the trends and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic;

5) make services to VoTs and survivors of trafficking more accessible during and post pandemic;

6) provide access to remedies including justice and information;

7) address specific needs of women and girls;

8) address specific needs of children;

9) support and build capacity for both governmental and non-governmental frontline stakeholders;

10) strengthen efforts at THB prevention related to the pandemic;

11) implement measures to reduce THB after the pandemic.

Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), 2020 DOWNLOAD

post

page

attachment

revision

nav_menu_item

custom_css

customize_changeset

oembed_cache

user_request

wp_block

wp_template

wp_template_part

wp_global_styles

wp_navigation

wp_font_family

wp_font_face

acf-taxonomy

acf-post-type

acf-field-group

acf-field

ai1ec_event

exactmetrics_note

Forced labour: What investors need to know
Guidance

This briefing provides information on the risks and implications of forced labour in company operations and supply chains. It highlights the role for investor engagement in addressing this global problem. ...Read More

TAGS: Global
Online and technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings: Summary and recommendations
Guidance

Internet, and information communication technology (ICT) more generally, play a major role in shaping our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the extent to which the Internet and ICTs are now integral to a variety of activities and social int...Read More

Malawi’s Human-Trafficking Routes: Mapping Cross-Boarder Transit Points Using Collective Data
News & AnalysisGuidance

The existence of our group, the Malawi Network Against Trafficking, is testament to the high level of collaboration and support that already exists within the anti-trafficking sphere in Malawi. We are very lucky to have a community that spans nearly...Read More

Human trafficking in the Thai fishing industry: A call to action for EU and US importers
Guidance

Thailand is one of the world’s largest fishery exporters. It is the leading exporter of canned tuna and one of the world’s top exporter of frozen shrimps. This multi-billion-dollar seafood industry has come under the international spotlight...Read More